- 


THE   LIBRARY   OF  THE   LATE 

J 

HON.  GEORGE  BANCROFT 


A    SKETCH    OF    THE    HISTORICAL 
MANUSCRIPTS      : 


MEMORANDA     CONCERNING     THE 
BOOKS   AND   PAMPHLETS 


Prepared,  by  Jos.  Fl 


ADDENDA. 


AMERICA.  PAPERS  RELATING  TO.— A  Series  of  42 
vols.  4to,  averaging  300  pages  per  vol.  A  mass  of  historical 
papers  in  manuscript  from  all  sources ;  official  documents,  jour 
nals,  magazines,  books,  tracts,  old  newspapers,  laws,  letters  and 
copies  of  papers  sent  to  Bancroft  by  correspondents,  etc.,  etc., 
arranged  in  a  chronological  order.  A  considerable  part  in  the 
handwriting  of  Bancroft.  Numerous  printed  slips  and  cuttings 
are  added.  First  volume  lettered  "To  1769,"  last  volume, 
"  1783."  42  vols.  4to,  half  dark  morocco,  each  volume  lettered 
as  to  dates,  and  stamped  "  G.  Bancroft."  A  very  important 
item :  an  arrangement  of  material  for  the  history  of  the  United 
States  to  the  end  of  the  Revolution. 

INDEX     TO     AMERICAN     CORRESPONDENCE.       See 

page  89  and  correct  title  to.  22  vols.  4to,  half  dark  morocco, 
stamped  G.  Bancroft,  lettered  1744  to  1783.  A  chronological 
arrangement  of  titles  of  letters,  with  reference  initials  locating 
the  letters. 


ERRATA. — Manduit  for  Mauduit,  p.  3;  Thompson  for  Thomson,  pp.  19,  25  ; 
1 7th  Jany.,  1784,  for  17  Jany.,  1794,  p.  42;  April  17,  '79,  for  April  17,  '97,  p. 
43;  prinkled  for  sprinkled,  p.  48;  follows  for  follow,  p.  61;  ditto,  p.  62;  Aug. 
21,  1775,  for  1778,  p.  66;  nation  for  national,  p.  70;  casualities,  for  casualties,  p. 
70  ;  Scots's  for  Scots,  p.  97;  omit  "  of  the  treaty,"  paragraph  7,  p.  100. 


GEORGE    BANCROFT'S    LIBRARY. 


THE  HISTORICAL  MANUSCRIPTS 

COLLECTED    BY    THE    LATE 

HON.  GEO.  BANCROFT. 

i  st.  Original  Autograph  Letters,  Documents  and  Papers  generally, 
relating  to  the  Genesis  of  the  American  Revolution,  Establish 
ment  of  Colonial  Union  and  of  a  Congress,  Progress  of  the 
War,  Foreign  Assistance,  Peace  and  Confederation,  1765-1801. 

2d.  Transcribed  Documents  collected  into  bound  volumes, 
embracing  copies  of  a  vast  number  of  papers  in  foreign  archives, 
and  in  American  collections,  both  public  and  private,  and 
Personal  and  Private  Papers  communicated  to  Bancroft. 

Section  i  covers  in  a  general  way  the  dates  1764-1801, — the 
Stamp  Act  to  Jefferson,  with  occasional  items  of  other  dates. 

Section  2  covers  the  entire  Colonial  and  Revolutionary  period, 
and  the  establishment  of  peace ;  with  considerable  material  of 
later  dates,  notably  the  unpublished  Diary  of  Jas.  K.  Polk,  in 
eighteen  4to  volumes. 

With  little  time  and  limited  space,  not  more  than  an  out 
line  can  be  given,  with  a  dip  here  and  there  into  the  text  of  the 
papers.  To  read  the  Original  Autograph  Letters  alone  would  be  a 
work  of  months.  To  print  them  would  be  to  publish  many 
volumes.  What  is  below  is  an  abridgment  of  a  sketch. 

The  Transcribed  Documents  represent  a  considerable  expen 
diture  of  labour  as  well  as  the  knowledge  of  Bancroft  in  dis 
covery  and  selection.  The  papers  are  bound  in  a  chronological 
arrangement  and  are  frequently  indexed,  and  in  shape  most 
available  for  reference. 


•  . 


Bancroft  himself,  in  speaking  of  the  sources  of  his  informa 
tion,  says: 

"  Still  greater  instruction  was  derived  from  Manuscript.  The 
records  of  the  State  Paper  Office  of  Great  Britain  best  illustrate 
the  Colonial  system ;  they  include  the  correspondence  (volumin 
ous)  of  all  military  and  civil  officers  and  Indian  Agents  employed 
in  America;  Memorials  of  the  American  Commissioners  of 
Customs  ;  Narratives,  Affidavits,  Informations  in  answer  to 
witnesses,  illustrating  the  most  important  occurrences.  The 
journals  of  the  Board  of  Trade;  its  representations  to  the  King; 
its  intercourse  with  the  Secretary  of  State ;  the  instructions  and 
letters  sent  to  America  whether  from  the  King,  the  Secretary  of 
State,  or  the  Board  of  Trade ;  the  elaborate  extracts  of  doc 
uments  prepared  for  the  Council;  Opinions  of  the  Attorney  and 
Solicitor  General ;  and  occasionally  private  letters.  I  examined 
these  masses  of  documents  slowly  and  carefully;  I  had  access  to 
everything  that  is  preserved ;  and  of  no  paper,  however  secret  it 
may  have  been  in  its  day,  or  whatever  its  complexion,  was  a 
copy  refused  me.  The  proceedings  in  Parliament  until  17 74  had 
something  of  a  confidential  character:  from  sources  the  most 
various,  private  letters,  journals,  and  reports  preserved  in 
France  or  England,  or  in  America,  I  have  obtained  full  and 
trustworthy  accounts  of  the  debates  on  the  days  most  nearly 
affecting  America." 

Mr.  Bancroft  says  Mr.  Disney  imparted  to  him  two  Volumes 
of  familiar  notes  that  passed  between  Chatham  and  Hollis,  ful 
of  allusions  to  America.  The  Marquis  of  Lansdowne  allowed 
him  to  go  through  the  papers  of  his  father,  the  Earl  of  Shel- 
burne,  during  the  three  periods  of  his  connection  with  American 
affairs.  "  My  thanks  are  due  to  the  Duke  of  Grafton  for  having 
communicated  to  me  unreservedly  the  autobiography  of  the 
third  Duke  of  that  name." 

"Of  all  persons  in  England,  it  was  most  desirable  to  have  a 
just  conception  of  the  character  of  the  King.  Mr.  Everett 
.  .  .  obtained  for  me  from  Lady  Charlotte  Lindsay,  copies 
of  several  hundred  notes,  or  abstracts  of  notes,  from  George  III. 
to  her  father,  Lord  North.  Afterwards  I  received  from  Lady 
Charlotte  herself,  communications  of  great  interest  and  her 
sanction  to  make  such  use  of  the  letters  as  I  might  desire.  The 
controversy  between  Great  Britain  and  her  colonies  attracted 
the  attention  of  all  Europe,  till  at  length  it  became  universally 
the  subject  of  leading  interest.  To  give  completeness  to  this 


branch  of  my  inquiries,  in  so  far  as  Great  Britain  was  concerned, 
either  as  a  party  or  an  observer,  the  necessary  documents,  after 
the  most  thorough  and  extensive  search,  were  selected  from  the 
correspondence  with  ministers,  agents  and  others  in  France, 
Spain,  Holland,  Russia,  Austria,  Prussia  and  several  of  the 
smaller  German  Courts,  especially  Hesse-Cassel  and  Brunswick. 
The  volumes  examined  for  this  purpose  were  very  numerous, 
and  the  copies  for  my  use  reached  to  all  questions  directly  or 
indirectly  affecting  America.  Relations  of  France  to  America 
were  of  paramount  importance." 

Mr.  Bancroft  was  furnished  with  every  facility  by  Guizot, 
Mignet,  Lamartine,  De  Tocqueville  and  by  Mr.  Dumont,  the 
keeper  of  the  archives.  Besides  the  French  archives,  the  Min 
istry  of  the  Marine  and  that  of  War,  furnished  him  papers. 

"  Accounts  of  the  differences  between  America  and  England 
are  to  be  sought  .  .  .  specially  in  the  correspondence  of 
the  Colony  agents,  resident  in  London,  with  their  respective 
constituents  ...  I  succeeded  in  securing  the  letters,  official 
private,  or  from  Bollan,  Jasper  and  Manduit,  Richard  Jackson 
.  .  .  Arthur  Lee,  several  unpublished  ones  of  Franklin;  the 
copious  and  most  interesting  official  and  private  correspondence 
of  W.  S.  Johnson,  Agent  for  Connecticut.  Many  and  exceed 
ingly  valuable  letters  of  Garth,  Agent  for  South  Carolina,  and 
specimens  of  the  correspondence  of  Knox  and  Franklin  as 
Agents  of  Georgia  ;  analogous  to  these  are  the  confidential 
communications  which  passed  between  Hutchinson  and  Israel 
Manduit  and  Thomas  Whateley ;  between  one  of  the  proprietaries 
of  Pennsylvania  and  Deputy-Governor  Hamilton  ;  between 
Cecil  Calvert  and  Hugh  Hammersley,  successive  Secretaries  of 
Maryland,  and  Lieutenant-Governor  Sharp ;  between  ex-Gover 
nor  Pownall  and  Dr.  Cooper,  of  Boston ;  between  Hollis  and 
Mayhew,  and  Andrew  Eliot,  of  Boston.  Of  all  these  I  have 
copies." 

Mr.  Bancroft  says  further: 

"Long-continued  pursuit,  favored  by  a  general  good-will,  has 
brought  into  my  possession  papers  or  copies  of  papers  from 
many  of  the  distinguished  men  of  the  country  in  every  colony." 

He  then  refers  to  the  loaning  of  the  manuscripts  of  Governor 
Colden,  covering  a  period  of  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century  in 
New  York  history.  The  papers  of  Mr.  Johnson,  of  Stratford, 
Connecticut.  Bishop  Potter,  of  Pennsylvania,  furnished  him 


papers,  illustrating  New  York  history.  Mr.  J.  F.  Eliot,  of 
Boston ;  William  B.  Reed ;  Langdon  Elwyn ;  Edward  D.  Ingra- 
ham,  of  Philadelphia;  Mr.  Tefft,  of  Georgia;  Mr.  Swayne,  of 
North  Carolina;  Mr.  William  C.  Preston  ;  officers  of  Yale  College, 
and  the  Connecticut  Historical  Society  are  among  those  who 
furnished  copies  of  papers  in  his  manuscript  collection. 

"  The  most  valuable  acquisition  of  all  was  the  collection  of 
the  papers  of  Samuel  Adams  which  came  to  me  through  the  late 
Samuel  Adams  Wells;  they  contain  the  manuscripts  of  Samuel 
Adams,  especially  drafts  of  his  letters  to  his  many  correspond 
ents;  they  contain,  also,  the  complete  journals  of  the  Boston 
Committee  of  Correspondence;  drafts  of  the  letters  it  sent  out, 
and  the  letters  it  received,  so  far  as  they  have  been  preserved. 
The  papers  are  very  numerous ;  taken  together,  they  unfold  the 
manner  in  which  resistance  to  Great  Britain  grew  into  assist 
ance,  and  they  perfectly  represent  the  sentiments  and  the  reason 
ings  of  the  times.  They  are  more  to  be  prized,  as  much  of  the 
correspondence  was  secret,  and  has  remained  so  to  this  day." 

"  The  abundance  of  my  collection  has  enabled  me  in  some 
measure  to  reproduce  the  very  language  of  everyone  of  the  prin 
cipal  actors  in  the  scenes  which  I  describe." 

The  Nation  is  the  most  fitting  conservator  of  its  own  annals, 
and  its  late  historian  has,  by  his  last  will  and  testament,  provided 
for  it  the  opportunity  to  acquire  both  the  original  papers,  docu 
ments  and  letters  which  a  great  good  fortune  at  the  beginning  of 
a  long  life,  threw  into  his  hands,  and  also  the  vast  quantity  of 
transcribed  letters,  documents  and  papers  which  knowledge,  in 
dustry,  friendship  and  means  had  enabled  him  to  procure  in  the 
course  of  his  studies.  The  original  papers  from  the  collection  of 
S.  Adams,  the  "  Father  of  the  Revolution,"  are  of  immense  inter 
est,  both  sentimentally  and  historically;  they  are  the  intimate 
and  virile  inter-communications  of  the  founders  of  the  Republic- 
The  letters  are  copious,  fervid  and  confidential ;  they  are  beyond 
mere  relics  as  bits  of  writing,  or  autographic  scraps  of  illustri 
ous  names.  They  are  the  autographs,  with  the  expressions  of 
the  thoughts  and  account  of  the  motives  and  actions  of  the  Revo 
lutionary  patriots.  A  fact  of  added  interest  is  that  they  have 
been  hidden  in  Mr.  Bancroft's  library.  He  has  explored  them 
for  his  own  purposes;  such  a  mass  of  unpublished  matter  may 


furnish  discoveries  and  surprises.  By  all  means  this  collection 
should  be  secure  from  risks  of  dispersion  or  destruction. 
Wealthy  men  abound,  eager  to  place  such  treasures  upon  the 
shelves  of  private  libraries.  How  soon  they  might  be  scattered, 
burned,  destroyed,  or  even  become  the  property  of  foreign 
museums,  none  can  say.  They  merit  such  certainty  of  perma 
nent  preservation  and  use  to  Americans  as  would  be  assured  by 
the  National  possession  in  a  fire-proof  repository. 

SAMUEL  ADAMS'  PAPERS.— MS.  papers  originally  in  S. 
Adams'  possession, then  in  his  grandson's, S.  A.  Wells,  from  whom 
they  passed  to  Bancroft.  Consisting  of  ADAMS'  CORRESPONDENCE, 
9  VOLS.  FOLIO,  HALF  RED  MOROCCO,  over  1300  pieces  chronologically 
arranged.  Papers  of  the  COMMITTEE  OF  CORRESPONDENCE,  1772- 
1775,  IN  3  VOLS.  FOLIO  (arranged  as  described  below).  MINUTES 
OF  THE  COMMITTEE  OF  CORRESPONDENCE,  1772-1774,  13  VOLS. 
THIN  FOLIO,  original  paper  binding.  VOTES  AND  PROCEEDINGS 
OF  THE  MASSACHUSETTS  ASSEMBLY,  1773-1774,  2  VOLS.  FOLIO. 
(Connected  with  these  are  the  following  MSS.  of  S.  A.  Wells: 
Life  of  Adams,  216  leaves,  folio;  Papers  of  Samuel  Adams, 
1489  pp.,  and  S.  Adams  and  the  American  Revolution,  about 
1,000  pp.  Together  9  vols.) 

The  volumes  of  the  above  collection  will  be  referred  to  in 
detail.  The  importance  of  the  subjects  may  perhaps  best  be 
illustrated  by  recalling  a  few  facts  concerning  Adams. 

Samuel  Adams  was  born  in  Boston,  1722.  Died  in  1803. 
Member  of  the  Old  Continental  Congress,  1774-1781.  Clerk 
to  the  Massachusetts  Assembly  for  nearly  ten  years.  Lieut. - 
Governor,  1789-1794,  and  Governor  of  Mass.,  1794-1797.  His 
father  was  an  important  man  of  the  town,  and  possessed  of 
means.  In  his  day,  the  Boston  people  were  largely  engaged  in 
shipping,  and  the  Caulkers'  Club  was  an  important  organiza 
tion,  of  which  the  elder  Adams  was  President.  From  Caulkers 
we  have  the  word  "caucus."  Adams  was  graduated  at  Har 
vard  and  his  Thesis,  read  before  Governor  Shirley,  bore  the 
portentous  title  of  "Whether  it  be  lawful  to  resist  the  Supreme 
Magistrate  if  the  Commonwealth  cannot  otherwise  be  pre 
served."  His  business  career  was  alike  uninteresting  and  unsuc- 


6 


cessful.  He  speedily  lost  money  which  his  father  gave  him. 
Finally  settled  himself  in  the  brewing  business.  He  soon 
became  active  in  the  Town  Meetings,  and  his  first  appearance, 
as  connected  with  these  manuscripts,  is  at  the  time  of  the 
Stamp  Act,  where  he  makes  a  memorable  draft  containing  the 
germ  of  independence,  as  the  expression  of  the  Town  of  Boston. 

Adams,  as  compared  with  his  contemporaries,  appears  pre 
eminent  in  the  elements  of  consistency,  inflexibility,  industry  and 
adroitness.  He  had  to  contend  with  able  men  on  the  other  side; 
to  smooth  and  harmonize  differences  among  men  on  his  own. 

He  was  always  in  the  van.  We  find  him  in  advance  of 
Franklin  in  his  attitude  toward  the  Stamp  Act.  When  enacted 
it  was  practically  acquiesced  in  by  the  latter. 

Professor  James  K.  Hosmer  has  skilfully  painted  a  picture  of 
Adams  and  his  times.  He  brings  into  high  light  his  actions  as  a 
duellist  with  the  successive  provincial  governors.  One  can  do 
no  better  in  expressing  an  estimation  of  the  papers  of  the  "Com 
mittee  of  Correspondence  "  than  to  quote  from  Professor  Hos 
mer.  There  is  also  a  delightful  freedom  from  prejudice  in  Mr. 
Hosmer's  presentation  of  the  characters  of  his  loyal  opponents. 

Referring  to  a  volume  of  papers  of  the  "  Committee  of  Cor 
respondence."  Prof.  Hosmer  says: 

"  In  the  library  of  Bancroft  is  a  volume  of  manuscripts,  worn 
and  stained  by  time,  which  have  an  interest  scarcely  inferior  to 
that  possessed  by  the  Declaration  of  Independence  itself,  as  the 
fading  page  hangs  against  its  pillar  in  the  library  of  the  State 
Department  at  Washington.  They  are  original  replies  sent  by 
the  Massachusetts  towns  to  Samuel  Adams'  committee,  sitting 
in  Fanueil  Hall,  during  those  first  months  of  1773.  One  may 
well  read  them  with  bated  breath,  for  it  is  the  touch  of  the  elbow 
as  the  stout  little  democracies  dress  up  into  line,  just  before  they 
plunge  into  actual  fight  at  Concord  and  Bunker  Hill.  There  is 
sometimes  a  noble  scorn  of  the  restraints  of  orthography,  as  of 
the  despotism  of  Great  Britain,  in  the  work  of  the  old  town 
clerks,  for  they  generally  were  secretaries  of  the  committees ; 
and  once  in  a  while  a  touch  of  Dogberry's  quaintness,  as  the 
punctilious  officials,  though  not  always  'putting  God  first,'  yet 
take  pains  that  there  shall  be  no  mistake  as  to  their  piety  by 
making  every  letter  in  the  name  of  the  Deity  a  rounded  capital. 
Yet  the  documents  ought  to  inspire  the  deepest  reverence.  They 


constitute  the  highest  mark  the  town-meeting  has  ever  touched. 
Never  before  and  never  since  have  Anglo-Saxon  men,  in  lawful 
folk-mote  assembled,  given  utterance  to  thoughts  and  feelings 
so  fine  in  themselves  and  so  pregnant  with  great  events.  To  each 
letter  stand  affixed  the  names  of  the  committee  in  autograph. 
This  awkward  scrawl  was  made  by  the  rough  fist  of  a  Cape  Ann 
Fisherman,  on  shore  for  the  day  to  do  at  town-meeting  the  duty 
his  fellows  had  laid  upon  him ;  the  hand  that  wrote  this  other 
was  cramped  from  the  scythe-handle,  as  its  possessor  mowed  an 
intervale  on  the  Connecticut;  this  blotted  signature,  where 
smutted  fingers  have  left  a  black  stain,  was  written  by  a  black 
smith  of  Middlesex,  turning  aside  a  moment  from  forging  a 
barrel  that  was  to  do  duty  at  Lexington.  They  were  men  of  the 
plainest;  but  as  the  documents,  containing  statements  of  the 
most  generous  principles  and  the  most  courageous  determina 
tion,  were  read  in  the  town-houses,  the  committees  who  pro 
duced  them,  and  the  constituents  for  whom  the  committees 
stood,  were  lifted  above  the  ordinary  level.  They  had  in  view 
not  simply  themselves,  but  the  welfare  of  the  continent;  not 
solely  their  own  generation,  but  remote  posterity." 

The  protest  of  the  Town  of  Boston,  May,  1764,  is  the  first 
document  of  which  we  have  any  distinct  trace  as  coming  from 
the  pen  of  Adams.  It  is  in  the  collection  of  Bancroft.  Mr. 
Hosmer  says: 

"  One  may  well  have  a  feeling  of  awe  as  he  reads  from  the 
yellowing  paper,  in  a  hand-writing  delicate  but  very  firm,  the 
protests  and  recommendations  in  which  America  begins  to  voice 
her  aspirations  as  to  Freedom." 

' '  What  still  increases  our  apprehensions  is,  that  these  unexpected 
Proceedings  may  be  preparatory  to  more  extensive  taxations  upon  us. 
For  if  our  Trade  may  be  taxed,  why  not  our  Lands,  the  Produce  of 
our  lands \  and  in  short  everything  we  possess  or  make  use  of  ?  This, 
we  apprehend,  annihilates  our  Charter  Rights  to  govern  and  tax  our 
selves.  If  Taxes  are  laid  upon  us  in  any  shape  without  our 
having  a  legal  representation,  where  they  are  laid,  are  we  not  reduced 
from  the  Character  of  free  subjects  to  the  miserable  state  of  tributary 
Slaves  ?  "  [Copy  from  Autograph.] 

Mr.  Hosmer  further  remarks  in  regard  to  this  historic  pro 
test: 

"  There  are  in  fact  few  documents  in  the  whole  course  of 
American  History  so  pregnant  with  great  events." 


8 


Adams  was  always  a  poor  man ;  he  could  not  worship  Patri 
otism  and  Mammon.  When  delegated  to  the  First  Congress  in 
1774  he  was  not  possessed  of  decent  clothing.  The  deficiency, 
however,  was  supplied  by  willing  friends.  To  him  may,  more 
than  to  any  other  man,  be  attributed,  if  not  the  origin,  cer 
tainly  the  operation,  of  the  Committee  of  Correspondence,  the 
engine  of  a  union  of  the  colonies  which  developed  what  Lord 
North  once  called  "  a  rope  of  sand  "  into  a  coil  which  crushed 
the  army  of  Britain  at  Yorktown. 

Adams  appeared  to  be  devoid  of  vanity ;  when  a  speech  would 
be  more  effective  from  a  more  golden  mouth  than  his  own,  he 
would  write  it  for  the  other  to  speak  it.  This  was  sometimes 
discovered  by  his  enemies. 

It  had  been  proposed  to  buy  off  Adams'  opposition.  The 
attempt  resulted  in  utter  failure  (see  Hutchinson's  report  to  the 
King): 

' '  They  have  for  their  head  one  of  the  members  from  Boston,  who 
was  the  first  person  that  openly,  in  any  public  assembly,  declared  for 
absolute  independence,  and  who,  from  a  natural  obstinacy  of  temper, 
and  from  many  years'  practice  in  politics,  is,  perhaps,  as  well  qualified 
to  excite  the  people  to  any  extravagance  in  theory  or  practice  as  any 
person  in  America. 

The  enemy  felt  the  wounds  of  his  words.  Governor  Bernard 
said:  "  Every  dip  of  his  pen  stings  like  a  horned  snake."  The 
title  of  "  Father  of  the  Revolution  "  is  justly  his.  Adams  super 
intended  the  planting  of  its  seed,  and  fed  its  growth  till  it 
acquired  its  majority  under  the  sword  of  Washington. 

SAMUEL  ADAMS'  Papers:  a  collection  of  original  letters, 
papers  and  documents  which  were  saved  from  the  house  of  Samuel 
Adams,  passing  into  the  possession  of  his  grandson,  Samuel 
Adams  Wells,  and  from  him,  in  the  beginning  of  this  century, 
to  George  Bancroft.  They  have  been  mounted  on  guards, 
arranged  in  chronological  order,  and  bound  in  nine  volumes, 
folio,  half  red  morocco.  A  glance  will  be  taken  at  the  collec 
tion,  mentioning  a  few  of  the  items  with  brief  extracts.  One 
volume  is  lettered 

"ORIGINAL  CORRESPONDENCE — 1772  TO  1781,"  and  consists 
of  about  120  letters.  In  the  beginning  are  placed  a  number  of 


letters  written  to  his  wife  Betsy,  with  two  or  three  other  family 
letters.  As  to  Washington  and  to  other  patriots,  a  time 
came  when  he  was  the  subject  of  attack  by  his  countrymen. 
He  writes  a  letter  to  his  wife,  Philadelphia,  October  2oth,  '78: 

"  The  man  who  acts  an  honest  part  in  public  life  must  often 
counteract  passions  &c.,  ...  of  weak  and  wicked  men  and  this 
must  create  him  enemies.  I  am  therefore  not  disappointed  or 

mortified I  know    there    are    many  who    can  serve    our 

Country  with  greater  capacity  though  none  more  honestly  the 
sooner  therefore  another  is  elected  in  my  room,  the  better.  I 
shall  the  sooner  retire  to  the  sweet  enjoyment  of  domestick  life 
but,  my  dear,  I  thank  God  I  have  many  friends." 

October  3d,  1780,  he  sends  his  wife  news  that  General  Arnold: 
"  after  having  committed  the  blackest  treason  against  his 
Country,  has  thrown  himself  into  the  Arms  of  his  Enemies. 

You  know  that   I    have   had    my  Suspicions    of  this 

Traitor  and  therefore  it  is  not  wonderful  that  I  am  not  so  aston 
ished  as  if  some  other  officer  had  been  detected  of  the  treason. 
He  has  been  gibbeted  in  the  Streets  by  the  Populace." 

The  rest  of  the  volume  is  occupied  by  the  correspondence  of 
James  Warren,  of  Plymouth  ;  and  Samuel  Adams.  The  letters 
of  Adams  and  Warren  are  nearly  all  lengthy  and  very  important 
communications,  chiefly  during  the  continuance  of  the  Revolu 
tionary  War.  They  are  almost  without  exception,  in  a  most 
excellent  state  of  preservation.  The  opening  letters  are  from 
Plymouth,  in  1772,  exhibiting  the  state  of  feeling  there, 
intrigues  of  the  Tories,  &c.  On  May  i4th,  1774,  Adams  com 
municates  the  arrival  of  the  edict  to  close  the  Port  of  Boston — 
he  says  the  inhabitants  in  general  abhor  the  thought  of  paying 
for  the  tea.  He  thinks  that  the  heroes  who  first  trod  on  your 
shore  (Plymouth),  and  fed  themselves  with  clams  and  muscles 
(sic),  and  have  extended  their  provisions  even  for  luxury,  would 
be  eternally  disgraced  if  now  surrendered  to  men  more  con 
temptible  than  locusts  and  caterpillars.  James  Warren,  June 
2ist,  1775,  writes  of  the  Battle  of  Bunker  Hill,  deploring  the 
death  of  Warren ;  thinks  the  British  have  paid  very  dearly  for 
their  acquisition ;  believes  that  their  killed  and  wounded  are  not 
much  less  than  one  thousand,  and  our  own  loss  not  to  greatly 
exceed  one  hundred.  He  adds  that  : 


10 


4  You  would  tremble  to  be  possessed  of  the  true  state  of  our 
Army — The  humanity  of  the  good  General  Gage  ....  has 
reduced  Charlestown  to  ashes." 

July  Qth,  1775,  Warren  writes  from  Watertown : 

"  Every  one  appears  perfectly  satisfied  with  the  appointment 
of  Washington  and  Lee — I  dined  yesterday  with  General  Wash 
ington  ;  he  is  an  amiable  man  and  fully  answers  the  high  char 
acter  you  and  my  friend  Adams  (John  Adams)  have  given  of 

him I  know  not  what  to  say  of  your  friend  Lee — he 

is  a  soldier he  came  in  just  before  dinner,  drank  some 

punch,  said  he  wanted  no  dinner,  took  no  notice  of  the  com 
pany,  mounted  his  horse  and  went  off  again  to  the  lines.  I 
admire  the  soldier  but  think  civility  or  even  politeness  not 
incompatible  with  his  character,  but  this  inter  nos.  I  shall  take 
care  to  speak  of  him  highly  on  all  occasions.  If  the  policy  or 
rather  folly  of  Britain  should  last  a  little  longer,  we  may  be  a 
grand  and  a  happy  people.  I  now  fear  the  repeal  of  the  acts 
which  I  have  heretofor  wished  for." 

The  Statesmen  of  the  day  rode  to  Congress  on  horseback. 
Warren  writes  to  Adams,  September  28,  1775: 

"  I  had  the  pleasure of  hearing  of  your  arrival 

in  Philadelphia  and  of  your  performing  the  journey  in  a  man 
ner  that  contributed  much  to  your  health  to  the  sociability  on 
the  way  and  to  the  character  of  the  Statesman,  as  it  is  said  that 
horsemanship  and  dexterity  in  rideing  on  the  saddle  are  neces 
sary  to  compleat  that  character." 

Several  letters  are  written  from  the  Congress  in  Philadelphia 
narrating  the  civil  and  military  occurrences.  On  November 
i2th,  1775,  Warren  writes  a  letter  to  be  carried  by  Paul  Revere, 
stating  the  sorry  condition  of  the  Bostonians,  their  continued 
fortitude  and  patriotism;  speaks  of  the  King's  "  silly  Proclama 
tion  " : 

"  I  shall  expect  some  movement  worthy  of  so  august  a  body 
(Congress)  a  Declaration  of  Independency,  treaties  with  foreign 
powers,  a  test between  Whiggs  and  Tories,"  &c. 

We  may  read,  in  his  own  hand,  a  Signer's  talk  about  the 
Declaration  of  Independence.  Adams  in  the  draft  of  his  letter 
of  July  i6th, 1776  : 

"  Our  Declaration  of  Independence  has  already  been  attended 


11 


with  good  Effects;  it  is  fortunate  beyond  our  expectations  to 
have  the  voice  of  every  colony  in  favor  of  so  important  a  ques 
tion." 

Warren  regrets  to  hear  of  Samuel  Adams'  ill  health  in  Phila 
delphia: 

"  Long  and  intense  application  must  be  too  much  for  a  firmer 
constitution  than  yours.  You  must  therefore  relax  your  mind." 

Boston,  December  2d,  1776,  Warren  advises  Adams  that 
"  General  Howe  is  on  his  march  to  make  you  a  visit  at  Phila 
delphia — I  wish  he  may  break  his  neck  on  the  way." 

On  December  25th,  1776,  Adams  writes  from  Baltimore, 
speaking  of  the  flight  of  Congress  on  the  approach  of  the  Bri 
tish.  December  29,  1776,  Colonel  Warren  condoles  on  the  loss 
of  General  Lee : 

"  This  misfortune  is  greatly  lamented  here.  How  could  he 
be  so  improvident  as  to  suffer  himself  to  be  so  exposed  to  the 
treachery  of  rascals  about  him  or  to  be  taken  in  such  a  manner 
by  a  few  light  horse." 

Samuel  Adams  writes  a  very  interesting  letter  in  Baltimore, 
February  zoth,  1777,  referring  to  the  account  of  his  expenses 
from  April  26th,  1775,  to  the  27th  of  August,  1776, — he  says,  in 
explanation  of  some  of  his  charges : 

"  When  I  set  off  from  Lexington  after  the  memorable  battle 
there,  I  had  with  me  only  the  cloaths  on  my  back  which  were 
very  much  worn,  those  which  I  had  provided  for  myself  being 
then  in  Boston  and  it  was  out  of  my  power  at  that  time  to 
recover  them.  I  was  therefore  under  the  necessity  of  being  at  an 
extraordinary  expense  to  appear  with  any  kind  of  decency  for 
clothing  and  linen  after  my  arrival  in  this  city,  which  I  think 
makes  a  reasonable  charge." 

Warren  writes,  Boston,  May  8th,  1778,  of  the  arrival  of  the 
fleet  from  France: 

"  Your  own  beloved  Harbor  looks  quite  brilliant.  I  want  you 
should  enjoy  the  prospects  from  your  own  windows.  The  pub 
lic  and  private  persons  are  treating  the  French  Men  of  War  with 
every  mark  of  respect. " 

Boston,  July  5th,  1778,  he  writes  along  letter  as  to  the  charac 
ters  of  different  officers  of  the  Navy.  July  i7th,  1778,  congratu- 


lates  Adams  on  his  return  (with  Congress)  to  Philadelphia; 
hears  that  the  French  fleet  has  arrived  at  the  Delaware ;  thinks 
it  is  high  time  to  hear  of  their  arrival  somewhere.  Warren  writes, 
August  2yth: 

"  General  Hancock  returned  last  evening  to  this  town — it  is 
reported  and  believed  I  suppose  that  he  has  come  to  order  back 
the  French  Squadron,  if  it  was  reported  that  he  came  to  arrest 
the  course  of  Nature  or  reverse  the  decrees  of  Providence,  there 
were  enough  to  believe  it  practicable." 

Warren,  in  a  three-paged  folio  letter  of  September  3oth,  gives 
an  account  of  Hancock's  magnificent  entertainment  of  the  French 
Officers.  He  names  the  toasts  given  and  is  evidently  displeased 
that  the  toast  to  Congress  is  not  saluted  with  cannon ;  he  asked 
the  General  why,  and  was  informed  that  the  Congress  was  in 
cluded  in  the  United  States  Toast,  which  had  been  saluted  with 
thirteen  cannon : 

"  I  told  him  I  thought  Geneial  Washington  and  the  Army 
were.  That  I  had  as  great  a  respect  for  General  W.  and  the 
army  as  any  man  but  if  they  were  not  included  also  in  the 
United  States  I  wished  they  were  disbanded." 

In  1780,  Adams  learns  that  the  town  of  Boston  has  voted  for 
Hancock ;  he  expresses  his  chagrin  and  submission  in  a  letter  of 
October  6th.  On  November  2d,  1780,  Warren  writes  to  Adams: 

"Neither  your  beloved  town,  the  County,  the  State,  or  the 
two  houses  have  shown  any  gratitude  for  your  many  and  great 
services." 

Warren's  letter,  December  4th,  1780,  referring  to  Washington, 
says  he  is 

"  A  great  and  good  man — I  love  and  reverence  him,  but  he  is 
only  a  man  and  therefore  should  not  be  invested  with  such 
powers,  and  besides  we  do  not  know  that  his  successor  will  be 
either  great  or  good." 

This  related  to  the  proposals  of  the  Hartford  Convention  of 
1780,  to  vest  the  military  with  civil  powers. 

Together  about  120  letters,  drafts  of  letters,  and  copies  of  let 
ters  in  Samuel  Adams'  hand. 

ADAMS'  ORIGINAL  PAPERS,  i  Volume,  folio,  half  red  mo 
rocco,  Lettered  "  To  1769."  This  volume  opens  with  some  mis- 


13 


cellaneous  papers  relating  to  an  earlier  period.  One  of  the  most 
important  papers  at  an  early  stage  of  American  opposition  to 
British  taxation  is  the  instruction  of  the  freeholders  of  the  town 
of  Boston  to  their  delegates  to  the  Assembly.  Here  is  Samuel 
Adams'  draft  of  the  instructions  to  resist  the  Stamp  Act:  "  But 
what  still  increases  our  apprehension,"  &c.  (See  quotation 
above.)  There  is  a  paper  of  the  same  character  in  the  town 
records  of  Boston.  The  date  of  this  paper  is  about  May,  1764. 
Following  this  is  another  draft  of  instructions  of  three  pages, 
folio,  comprising  matter  relating  to  the  appointment  of  a  bishop, 
which  is  said  not  to  be  in  the  Boston  town  records.  It  is 
endorsed  as  follows : 

"  Supposed  to  have  been  written  about  the  year  1762  or  3, 
being  previous  to  the  appointment  of  Israel  Mauduit,  Esq.,  as 
the  agent  for  the  Massachusetts." 

It  is  a  general  exhortation  to  secure  virtue  and  liberty,  with 
some  special  recommendations  as  to  the  Courts  of  Justice  and  a 
resistance  to  the  tax  on  the  trade  of  the  Colonies,  as  a  matter 
of  principle.  A  long  letter  of  Adams  to  the  Agent  of  the  Colony 
in  England  respecting  compensation  to  the  sufferers  in  the  Stamp 
Act  Riot.  An  account  in  the  shape  of  a  broadside,  of  the 
threats  to  Andrew  Oliver,  Stamp  Distributor,  made  by  the  Sons 
of  Liberty ;  Oliver's  resignation  of  his  office  and  the  satisfaction 
of  the  people,  Boston,  December  i8th,  1765.  Other  letters  relat 
ing  to  the  Stamp  Trouble — letters  written  to  London  by  Adams 
expressing  the  feeling  of  the  country.  Included  are  letters 
written  by  Peter  Oliver  to  Gov.  Hutchinson.  It  is  strange  that 
they  should  be  found  among  the  papers  of  his  most  powerful 
enemy. 

Long  letter  of  Adams,  eleven  pages,  folio,  of  March,  1767, 
Written  to  the  Agent  of  the  Colonies,  Mr.  De  Berdt,  relating 
the  disputes  between  the  Assembly  and  the  Governor. 

Letter  of  January  3oth,  1768,  written  by  Adams  to  De  Berdt, 
respecting  taxation  without  representation.  The  year  1768  was 
an  important  one  as  bringing  nearer  to  a  head  differences  of  the 
Colonies  with  the  British  Parliament,  and  the  papers  here  eluci 
date  the  condition  of  affairs. 


14 


A  letter  from  Governor  Pownall  to  the  town  clerk  of  Boston 
cautioning  the  Colonies  as  to  their  errors.  In  the  papers,  under 
date  of  1769,  is  a  very  fine  letter  of  John  Wilkes,  written  to  the 
Committee  of  the  Sons  of  Liberty  in  Boston.  He  says: 

"  I  have  read  with  grief  and  indignation  the  proceedings  of 

the  ministry  with  regard  to  the  troops  ordered  to  Boston 

I  admire  exceedingly  your  prudence  and  temper main 
taining  at  the  same  time  your  own  dignity  and  the  true  spirit  of 
liberty." 

A  printed  pamphlet  copy  of  the  complaint  of  the  House  of 
Representatives  of  Massachusetts  Bay  against  Sir  Francis 
Bernard,  with  Sir  Francis  Bernard's  answer,  fifteen  pages, 
4to,  uncut,  printed  in  double  columns.  This  is  a  very  inter 
esting  piece,  as  Samuel  Adams  has  traversed  the  first  four 
pages,  writing  in  a  very  close  hand  his  notes  and  criticisms. 
Adams  says  that  he  makes  his  remarks  with  "freedom,  with 
decency  and  truth."  Page  13  also  bears  some  of  his  writing. 
A  MS.  petition  of  the  Merchants  of  the  town  of  Boston  to  the 
Knights,  Citizens  and  Burgesses  of  Parliament  occupies  ten 
folio  pages,  written  in  a  large  open  hand. 

The  number  of  pieces  contained  in  this  volume  is  about  70. 

ADAMS'  PAPERS,  Volume  for  1770  to  1773. — Adams  receives 
an  attack  on  the  character  of  Ben.  Franklin.  The  volume  open 
ing  with  an  anonymous  letter  from  London,  in  which  the 
Philosopher  is  handled  without  gloves. 

RESOLVES  of  the  Town  of  Boston  to  visit  the  houses  of  hold 
ers  of  unsold  Tea,  declaring  that  certain  persons  are  obstinate 
and  inveterate  enemies  of  their  country ;  that  it  is  our  indispen 
sable  duty  to  ourselves  and  posterity  forever  hereafter  to  treat 
them  as  such.  Then  follows  a  determination  to  treat  them 
in  the  manner  now  known  as  the  Boycott.  Four  pages,  4to. 
Marked  "  To  be  printed." 

LIEUT. -GOVERNOR  HUTCHINSON'S  REPLY  to  the  Remonstrance 
of  the  Council  on  the  proposed  removal  of  the  Court  to  Cam 
bridge,  March,  1770.  J.  Neufville,  of  Charlestown,  South  Caro 
lina,  in  a  two-and-a-half  page  folio  letter  to  the  Sons  of  Liberty 
in  Boston,  says  that  the  people  of  this  Province  have  bound 


15 


themselves  to  the  general  cause  of  American  Liberty.  Several 
pages  relating  to  the  Boston  Massacre  and  its  details  in  the  auto 
graph  of  Sam.  Adams. 

OFFICIAL  COPY  of  a  long  Document,  being  an  appeal  to  Cap 
tain  Preston  (of  the  Boston  Massacre)  to  disclose  the  authorship 
of  the  case  of  Captain  Preston,  as  published  in  the  Public  Adver 
tiser,  in  England,  April  28th,  1770.  It  is  regarded  as  a  state 
ment  harmful  and  libelous  to  the  Town  of  Boston ;  followed  by 
a  long  letter  of  Adams,  expressing  satisfaction  that  the  narra 
tive  of  the  Massacre  transmitted  to  London  has  had  the  desired 
effect  .  .  .  preventing  the  odium  being  cast  on  the  inhab 
itants  as  the  aggressors  in  it;  announces  the  appointment  of  a 
Committee  to  acquaint  friends  on  your  side  the  water  with  the 
true  state  of  the  circumstances  of  the  town.  This  letter  was 
probably  sent  to  Dr.  Franklin,  July  i3th,  1770. 

A  LETTER  OF  INSTRUCTIONS  to  the  Trade  in  Boston  from  New 
York ;  refers  to  the  New  Haven  Resolves,  suggesting  means  of 
coercing  purchasers  of  importers,  New  York,  August  6th,  1770. 

A  LETTER  from  Charlestown,  September  22d,  1770,  by  Peter 
Timothy: 

4 'We  adhere  most  strictly  to  every  resolution  we  enter  into, 
as  Georgia  and  Rhode  Island  feel:  but  we  are  also  surprised 
that  the  Northern  Colonies  have  not  likewise  declined  to  trade," 
&c. 

SAMUEL  ADAMS'  LETTER  to  London,  announcing  the  acquittal 
of  Preston.  In  November,  1770,  he  informs  the  London  Cor 
respondent,  among  other  things,  that, 

"Our  young  men  seem  of  late  very  ambitious  of  making 
themselves'  perfect  masters  of  the  art  military." 

DECEMBER  27TH,  1770,  he  opens  a  correspondence  with  John 
Wilkes. 

THE  MANUSCRIPT  of  a  paper  on  the  Boston  Massacre,  prepared 
by  Samuel  Adams,  addressed  to  the  printer.  He  traverses  the 
evidence,  and  is  by  no  means  satisfied  with  the  findings. 

AN  ACCOUNT  of  the  Separatists,  17  pages,  i6mo,  MS.  Letter 
from  Arthur  Lee,  London,  March  28th,  1771,  referring  to  the 


Boston  Massacre,  and  referring  to  some  very  sensible  letters  by 
Vindex,  in  your  papers,  evidently  not  aware  that  he  was  writing 
to  their  author. 

A  MESSAGE  to  the  House  of  Representatives,  signed  by  Thomas 
Hutchinson — a  firm  and  business-like  communication. 

A  MESSAGE  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  drafted  by  Adams, 
carried  by  him  and  others  to  Governor  Hutchinson,  to  compel 
him  to  disclose  whether  he  was  to  receive  his  pay  from  the  King 
or  the  Province.  Other  papers  follow  between  the  Committee 
and  the  Governor,  with  some  bold  resolves  of  the  House. 

A  LETTER  of  4  pages,  folio,  full  of  information  as  to  politics 
and  intrigue,  relating  to  the  colonies,  with  much  unfavorable 
comment  of  Ben.  Franklin,  says  he  is  the  instrument,  not  -the 
dupe,  of  Lord  Hillsborough. 

ARTHUR  LEE,  April  yth,  1772,  writes  a  six-page  letter  as  to 
affairs  in  England ;  pays  his  respects  to  the  ministry  in  declaring 
that  there  never  lived  a  set  of  more  mean  and  rapacious  wretches 
than  His  Majesty's  Ministers  of  State. 

GOVERNOR  HUTCHINSON'S  MESSAGE  to  the  Council  at  Cam 
bridge,  April  8th,  1772,  with  an  adverse  comment  endorsed  in 
the  writing  of  Adams.  Other  papers  referring  to  the  removal 
of  the  General  Court  to  Cambridge,  including  draft  of  a  petition 
to  the  king.  Samuel  Adams  writes  upon  it  that  this  petition 
was  passed  in  a  full  house  almost  unanimously,  there  being  only 
one  negative  voice.  Part  of  the  document  is  missing. 

ELBRIDGE  GERRY,  October  27th,  1772,  writes,  voicing  the  con 
sequences  of  removing  the  independency  of  the  superior  Judges. 
He  writes  another  letter,  November  2d,  1772,  in  opposition  to 
the  plan  of  paying  the  Judges  from  any  source  but  the  people. 

There  are  several  other  of  his  letters.  He  speaks  of  how  the 
people  are  to  be  stirred  to  action ;  how  the  papers  are  animating 
them  to  resistance  and  watchfulness. 

"  If  the  Judges  should  refuse  ye  salaries  they  will  immortalize 
their  names  in  the  annals  of  history ;  if  they  accept,  I  fear  their 
constitutions  will  hardly  be  able  to  grapple  with  ye  pill — pro 
viding  for  them." 


17 


A  LETTER  of  the  highest  importance,  written  to  Mr.  Samuel 
Adams,  from  a  committee  of  Rhode  Island,  asking  his  advice 
and  expressing  their  sentiments  in  regard  to  the  destruction  of  the 
SCHOONER  GASPEE  and  the  measures  likely  to  follow,  communi 
cating  a  copy  of  Lord  Dartmouth's  letter.  The  committee  fear 
the  manner  of  trial  that  will  make  an  inroad  upon  the  liberties 
of  America  beginning  upon  the  smallest  and  weakest  colony  in 
it.  This  letter  is  handsomely  written,  two  pages,  folio,  dated 
December  25th,  1772,  Providence.  Among  the  signers  is  Stephen 
Hopkins,  who,  four  years  later,  signed  the  Declaration  of  Inde 
pendence;  other  signers  are  D.  Sessions,  John  Cole.  Adams 
promptly  acknowledges  and  answers  this  letter  in  a  communica 
tion  of  two  pages,  folio,  December  28th,  1772.  He  follows  this 
by  another  letter  on  the  same  subject  of  four  pages,  folio,  and 
still  another  of  one  page,  folio. 

ARTHUR  LEE  writes,  January  25th,  1773,  that 

"My  Lord  Chatham  and  my  Lord  Shelburne  remain  faithful 
to  the  cause  of  this  country,  but  I  would  wish  my  countrymen  to 
remember  that  salvation  cometh  not  from  the  East  nor  from  the 
West,  but  from  themselves." 

Another  letter  comes  from  Providence  acknowledging  the 
letters  received  from  Boston,  likewise  signed  by  Stephen  Hopkins 
and  others. 

A  PRINTED  CIRCULAR  LETTER  to  be  sent  to  the  various  towns 
publishing  the  resolves  of  the  House  of  Burgesses  of  Virginia, 
of  March,  1773. 

NUMEROUS  LETTERS  OF  ARTHUR  LEE,  with  the  London  talk, 
mentioning  Wilkes  and  others  interested  in  America,  with  an 
occasional  dig  at  Franklin. 

JULY  26th,  1773,  the  Committee  of  Cambridge  express  them 
selves  on  the  discovery  of  the  famous  Hutchinson  letters  so 
adroitly  rung  in  at  this  time. 

ADAMS  writes  three  pages,  folio,  to  Arthur  Lee,  December 
2ist,  1773.  Letter  of  particular  interest,  as  it  gives  an  account 
of  the  destruction  of  the  tea. 

"  In  less  than  four  hours  every  chest  of  tea  on  board  of  three 


18 


ships,  which  had  by  this  time  arrived,  three  hundred  and  forty- 
two  chests,  or  rather  the  contents  of  them,  were  thrown  into  the 
sea  without  the  least  injury  to  the  vessels  or  any  other  pro 
perty." 

It  is  also  accompanied  by  a  narrative  of  the  famous  meeting  of 
five  thousand  people  at  the  Old  South  Meeting  House. 

A  LETTER  FROM  PHILADELPHIA  signed  by  George  Clymer  and 
Thomas  Mifflin,  advising  of  the  action  of  Philadelphia  in  regard 
to  tea  ships. 

SAMUEL  ADAMS' PAPERS,  Volume  for  1774  to  1775.  Opens 
with  letters  about  the  destruction  of  the  tea  and  its  consequen 
ces  in  England,  written  by  Arthur  Lee.  Refers  to  the  insolent 
abuse  which  Wedderburne  poured  forth  against  Dr.  Franklin 
at  the  hearing  of  your  petition. 

"Dr.  Franklin  bore  it  all  with  a  firmness  and  equanimity 
which  conscious  integrity  alone  can  inspire,  I  mentioned  that 
they  threatened  to  take  away  Dr.  Franklin's  place;  that  threat 
they  have  now  executed.  The  same  cause  which  renders  him 
obnoxious  to  them,  must  endear  him  to  you." 

A  COPY  OF  A  PETITION  to  the  King,  with  thirty  names  of  friends 
of  America  in  England  (May,  1774). 

RICHARD  HENRY  LEE  introduces  General  Lee  to  Samuel  Adams 
(8th  of  May,  1774). 

SEVERAL  LETTERS  of  Samuel  Adams.  Adams  constantly  gives 
prominence  to  the  fact  that  an  attack  on  Boston  is  an  attack 
on  the  Liberties  of  the  Colonies;  calls  them  sisters,  etc.  In 
May,  1774,  he  writes  of  the  Boston  Port  Bill.  Mifflin  sends  a 
letter  by  the  hand  of  Paul  Revere  from  Philadelphia,  May  2ist, 

1774- 

"The  flame  is  kindling  fast." 

Conveys  assurances  that  Philadelphia  feels  for  Boston. 

The  Philadelphians  were  prompt;  the  day  after  Paul  Revere 
arrived  about  three  hundred  citizens  convened.  MifHin,  in  a 
letter  from  Philadelphia,  says ; 

"All  ranks  with  us  agree  to  the  proposal  of  a  General  Con 
gress  previous  to  fixing  on  any  plar  of  reconciliation  or  opposi 
tion." 


19 


On  May  3oth,  Paul  Revere,  the  Mercury  of  the  Revolution, 
has  returned  to  Boston  with  a  letter  from  Charles  Thompson,  as 
on  that  date  Adams  writes  a  long  letter  to  Thompson.  He  says 
a  Congress  is  of  absolute  necessity. 

June  13,  1774,  a  MS.  DOCUMENT.  Sketch  of  a  plan  for  a 
Non-Importation  Agreement. 

THE  OFFICIAL  SUBSCRIPTION  DOCUMENT  sent  to  Boston  by  the 
County  of  Fairfax  "for  the  relief  of  our  brethren  in  our  sister 
province  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay,"  dated  August  ist,  1774. 
The  document  is  carefully  made  all  in  one  hand.  The  name  of 
George  Washington  heads  the  list  with  a  cash  subscription  of 
fifty  pounds,  over-topping  all  other  subscribers  in  amount. 
There  are  fifty-two  names;  some  contributors  send  flour  and 
wheat. 

A  MS.  LIST  of  the  Committee  of  Landholders  and  Planters, 
consisting  of  the  most  wealthy  gentlemen  in  South  Carolina. 
The  list  is  headed  by  the  name  of  Thomas  Lynch,  Esq.,  Chair 
man.  All  written  in  one  hand. 

LETTERS  FROM  BOSTON  are  sent  to  Philadelphia  and  downwards. 
Mr.  Gadsden  receives  a  long  letter  from  Adams,  also  Peter 
Timothy,  William  Williams  (Signer),  writes  over  two  pages,  folio, 
Lebanon,  July  3oth.  He  warns  Adams  against  Mr.  D.  ;  Mifflin 
^writes  of  Mr.  Dickinson's  fixed  opinion  for  a  petition. 

LETTERS  from  London  Correspondents. 

THOMAS  YOUNG  writes  from  Boston  that  the  illustrious  Putnam 
with  his  friends  in  the  little  Parish  of  Brooklyn,  collected  about 
130  sheep,  which  generous  present  was  sent  to  the  Town  of 
Boston. 

A  DRAFT  OF  REMONSTRANCE,  addressed  to  General  Gage,  as 
offered  to  the  Committee  of  Congress,  to  be  reported. 

Two-page,  folio  LETTER  of  Benj.  Church  to  Adams. 

FOLIO  LETTER  of  THOMAS  YOUNG,  2  pages. 

"  BOSTON,  September  4th,  1774. 

"  By  the  enclosed  Papers  you  will  perceive  the  temper  of  your 
countrymen  in  the  condition  of  your  every  wish,  your  every 


20 


sigh  for  years  past,  panted  to  find  it;  that  treacherous  sneaking 
and  cowardly  action  of  seizing  our  Province  powder  set  all  the 
country  in  a  flame.  When  Dr.  Warren  and  I  arrived  at  Cam 
bridge,  Judge  Danfourth  was  addressing  perhaps  four  thousand 
people  in  the  open  air  and  such  was  the  order  of  that  great 
Assembly  that  not  a  whisper  interrupted  the  low  voice  of  that 
feeble  old  man." 

ADAMS'  wife,  Betsy,  writes  describing  the  situation  at  Boston, 
September  i2th,  1774.  Adams  has  lately  gone  to  the  First  Con 
gress  in  Philadelphia.  She  says  she  has  never  heard  one  word 
from  him  since  he  got  to  Philadelphia. 

LETTER  by  Benjamin  Church,  three  pages,  folio. 

LETTERS  of  Gerry,  John  Pitts,  Thomas  Young  and  Silas 
Deane;  good  examples. 

JANUARY  29th,  1775,  Adams  has  returned  from  Philadelphia; 
looks  with  favor  on  the  gathering  of  arms  by  the  people. 

PROCEEDINGS  in  England,  reported  by  Arthur  Lee,  February 
3d,  1775.  A  significant  Question  signed  only  in  initials,  R.  H. 
L — "  How  many  soldiers  in  town  ?  ....  And  does  the  busi 
ness  of  discipline  go  on  well  ?  "  He  thinks  a  certain  Mr.  Rug- 
gles  should  hang  on  the  Liberty  Tree.  It  may  be  noted  that 
some  letters  are  left  unsigned  from  motives  of  caution. 

ARTHUR  LEE,  London,  24th  February,  1775,  advises  Adams 
that  the  Boston  Troops  are  to  be  sent  to  New  York. 

JOHN  BROWN,  of  Providence,  February  27th,  1775,  writes  a 
letter  accompanying  money  sent  to  the  assistance  of  Boston, 
anxious  to  know  of  anything  which  tends  to  the  salvation  of  the 
Common  Cause. 

ADAMS  says,  Boston,  March  4th,  1775: 

"  We  have  almost  every  Tory  of  note  in  the  Province  in  this 
town;  they  have  fled  for  the  general  protection." 

He  states  the  condition  of  the  British  Troops  in  Boston. 

PRINTED  BROADSIDE. — Letter  of  Governor  Trumbull  to  Gen 
eral  Gage,  3  pages,  folio,  Hartford,  April  28th,  1775,  with  General 
Gage's  answer.  One  wants  to  know  why  the  Town  of  Boston 
is  shut  up,  and  the  other  wants  to  know  why  he  shouldn't  fortify 


21 


Boston  when  the  Resolves  of  Congress  breathed  nothing  but 
War.  Gage  declares  the  intelligence,  relative  to  the  late  excur 
sion  of  a  body  of  troops  (to  Lexington),  is  injurious  and  contrary 
to  truth. 

J.  HOWE,  of  Hartford,  writes  June  7th,   1775: 

"  Never,  Sir,  have  I  seen  anything  so  extraordinary  as  the 
Resolution 'and  Firmness  which  the  late  Battles  of  Concord  and 
the  Islands  and  the  taking  of  the  fort  have  inspired  in  all  orders 
of  men." 

A  BROADSIDE. — The  Historic  Proclamation  of  General  Gage 
promising  pardon  to  the  Americans  if  they  laid  down  their 
arms,  excepting  only  "  Samuel  Adams  and  John  Hancock^  whose 
offences  are  of  too  flagitious  a  nature  to  admit  any  other  Con 
sideration  than  that  of  condign  punishment. "  This  is  the  issue 
by  the  Americans,  printed  for  them,  with  these  words: 

"  The  following  is  a  copy  of  an  infamous  thing  handed  about 
here  yesterday.  .  .  .  It  is  replete  with  consummate  impu 
dence,  the  most  abominable  lies,  and  stuffed  with  daring  ex 
pressions  of  tyranny,  as  well  as  rebellion  against  . 
authority  of  the  AMERICAN  STATES,"  &c.  Cambridge,  June 
i4th,  1775. 

MINUTES  OF  A  CONFERENCE  of  the  Delegates  of  the  Continental 
Congress,  Deputy-Governor  of  Connecticut  and  Rhode  Island, 
Committee  of  Council  of  Massachusetts,  with  General  Washing 
ton,  Cambridge,  October  i8th,  1775,  continued  till  the  22d. 
A  number  of  pages  in  4to  MS. 

SEVERAL  LETTERS  from  Gerry,  a  few  from  Benj.  Church.  A 
letter  from  Arthur  Lee,  July  8th,  1775: 

"  How  shall  I  express  my  joy  to  you  at  the  beaming  of  the 
Light  of  Liberty  ?  " 

PHILADELPHIA,  June  28th,  1775.  Adams  writes  a  letter  to  his 
wife,  3  pages,  4to.  He  has  just  heard  of  the  Battle  of  Bunker 
Hill ;  he  asks  his  wife  to  favor  him  with  an  account  of  her  ap 
prehension  during  the  Battle  so  near  her. 

"The  death  of  our  truly  amiable  and  worthy  friend,  Dr. 
Warren,  is  greatly  afflicting.  Gage  has  made  me  reputable  by 
naming  me  first  among  those  who  are  to  receive  no  favors  from 


him.      I  thoroughly  despise   him   and   his   proclamation.      It   is 
the  subject  of  ridicule  here." 

SAMUEL  ADAMS'  PAPERS,  Volume  for  1776.—  Sam.  Adams 
writes  to  Gerry,  January  2d,  1776: 

"  I  hope  our  country  will  never  see  the  time  when  either 
riches  or  the  want  of  them  shall  be  made  the  leading  considera 
tions  in  the  choice  of  public  offices." 

He  is  glad  to  hear  of  the  success  of  the  people  in  making  salt 
petre,  lately  sent  by  Mr.  Revere  a  plan  of  a  powder-mill. 

A  LETTER  from  Camp,  by  General  John  Sullivan,  with  the 
details  of  an  intended  attack  on  Bunker  Hill.  It  didn't  occur; 
the  ice  was  too  thin.  January  3d,  1776. 

HUGH  HUGHES  writes,  January  8th,  1776,  against  putting 
captured  slaves  to  death ;  although  their  numbers  may  endanger 
their  captors ;  speaks  of  his  advising  the  requisition  from  Suffolk 
County,  Long  Island,  for  assistance  to  disarm  the  Tories  there. 
He  finds  the  people  averse  to  the  action  through  fear  of  having 
their  houses  burned. 

LETTER  of  W.  Lee,  of  London,  February  5th,  1776,  inform 
ing  the  Americans,  through  Adams,  of  the  probable  plans  of 
Great  Britain,  mentioning  the  number  of  troops  to  be  sent,  to 
what  colonies,  with  information  about  ships. 

"  Col.  James  is  sent  with  orders  to  burn  every  town  he  can 
command.  Charlestown,  South  Carolina,  is  to  be  the  first." 

He  says,  "there  is  no  alternative  but  an  instant  Declaration 
of  Independence — a  consequent  negotiation  at  least  for  Naval 
assistance,  or  an  humble  submission  to  be  slaves  to  Scotchmen  " 
(referring  to  the  Scotch  in  Parliament). 

A  LETTER  by  Richard  Henry  Lee,  condoles  on  the  ill-fortune 
in  Canada;  makes  suggestions  for  securing  the  Hudson  and 
reducing  Canada.  2  pages,  folio,  February  7th,  1776. 

SAMUEL  CHASE,  April  29th,  1776,  in  a  letter,  2  pages,  4to,  gives 
an  account  of  the  military  situation  of  Boston  and  is  pleased  to 
find  that  a  country  surgeon,  an  obscure  man  in  our  Army  until 
now,  has  proved  himself  a  genius  in  rendering  the  guns  spiked 
by  the  British  serviceable  as  ever. 


A  PETITION  of  a  number  of  the  Episcopal  Clergy  of  the  Col 
onies  of  New  York  and  Connecticut,  refers  to  the  changed  state 
of  affairs  made  by  the  Declaration  of  Independence  (not  signed). 

LETTER  OF  SAMUEL  CHASE,  June  3d,  1776: 

"  Every  nerve  must  be  exerted  to  return  this  blow  "  (referring 
to  the  defeat  at  Quebec).  "The  coming  of  the  Germans  seems 
now  past  a  doubt.  Ought  we  not  to  look  out  immediately  for 
foreign  assistance?  The  natural  enemies  to  Britain,  France  and 
Spain,  are  the  most  likely  to  aid  us,  depriving  her  of  the  col 
onies  is  a  darling  object  to  them." 

ANOTHER  LETTER,  by  the  same  hand,  June  6th,  1776;  refers 
to  the  traitor  Benjamin  Church. 

"  I  am  told  he  sees  the  necessity  of  being  confined  for  his 
own  safety;  gives  evidence  of  his  duplicity  that  he  wrote  and 
acted  on  both  sides ;  that  he  pronounced  the  Boston  Massacre 
Oration  with  Hutchinson's  allowance." 

A  FINE  LETTER  OF  GENERAL  GATES,  New  York,  June  8th, 
1776.  Speaks  of  General  Mifflin : 

'•  I  am  willing  though  reluctantly  to  relinquish  him  and  I 
know  not  where  the  officer  is  to  be  found  in  America  so  fit  for 
that  important  service." 

He  evidently  desires  to  have  Mifflin  with  him  at  Boston.  He 
thinks  the  General  (Washington)  is  unduly  influenced  by  a  be 
lief  that  the  enemy  will  not  make  their  attacks  upon  Massachu 
setts. 

"  Where  the  enemy  will  not  come  is  too  mighty  for  my  judg 
ment." 

A  LETTER  OF  PETER  OLIVER,  June,  1776.  Account  of  his 
voyage  to  England  and  reports  what  he  has  heard  of  American 
news  in  England. 

A  LETTER  of  four  pages,  4to,  of  SAMUEL  CHASE,  June  3oth, 
1776.  Letter  of  the  highest  interest  referring  to  defeats  at 
Quebec;  necessity  of  obtaining  alliances.  Wonders  why  some 
are  backward  in  going  into  the  only  measures  for  making  this 
step  successful. 

A  LETTER  FROM  JOHN  RUTLEDGE,  July  4th,  1776.  A  letter  to 
Samuel  Adams,  2.  pages,  folio,  chiefly  respecting  General  Lee. 


Congress  having  indemnified  him  by  agreement  against  any  loss 
he  might  sustain  by  joining  the  American  service,  he  appears 
now  to  need  their  help.  He  purchased  an  estate  in  Virginia, 
borrowing  the  money  to  pay  for  it;  drew  bills  for  three  thousand 
pounds  on  his  agent  in  England.  They  were  protested  and  he 
has  no  doubt  his  property  in  England  is  confiscated. 

DESCRIPTION  OF  DEVICE  to  be  engraved  on  the  New  Great 
Seal  of  Virginia. 

WILLIAMSBURG,  July  6th,  1776,  Richard  Henry  Lee  writes: 
"  Our  Devil  Dunmore  is  as  he  was,  but  we  are  shortly  to  make 
him  move  his  quarters." 

SAMUEL  ADAMS'  copy  of  his  letter  to  J.  Pitts,  July,  1776, 
Philadelphia: 

"  You  was  informed  by  the  last  post  that  CONGRESS  HAD  DE 
CLARED  THE  THIRTEEN  UNITED  COLONIES  FREE  AND  INDEPENDENT 

STATES.  It  must  be  allowed  by  the  impartial  world  that  this 
Declaration  has  not  been  made  rashly.  .  .  .  The  delegates 
of  every  colony  were  present  and  concurred  in  this  important 
act,  except  those  of  New  York,  who  were  not  authorized  to  give 
their  voice  on  the  question,  but  they  have  since  publicly  said 
that  a  new  convention  was  soon  to  meet  in  that  Colony." 

R.  H.  LEE,  Chantilly,  July  2pth,  1776,  writes  he  hopes  no 
time  will  be  lost  in  dispatching  ambassadors.  .  .  especially 
to  France  whose  interest  it  so  clearly  is  to  support  the  new  Con 
federacy.  The  storm  thickens  at  New  York.  May  it  burst  with 
destructive  powers  on  the  guilty  foes  of  human  rights.  What 
mean  the  Jersey  Convention  by  the  last  clause  of  their  new 
charter.  Shall  we  never  cease  to  be  teased  with  the  Bug-bear 
reconciliation.  This  clause  is  really  detestable  now  that  the 
Declaration  of  Congress  is  published. 

A  REVIEW  of  the  military  and  naval  situation  of  the  country, 
&c. ,  written  by  Adams,  August,  1776. 

A  LONG  AND  INTERESTING  LETTER  signed  by  Benjamin 
Palmer. 

THE  RESOLUTION  OF  CONGRESS,  December  23d,  1776,  that  the 
Commissioners  of  Congress  at  the  Port  of  France  be  authorized 


to  borrow  a  sum  not  exceeding  two  millions  sterling,  written 
and  signed  by  Charles  Thompson  and  also  signed  by  John  Han 
cock. 

A  LETTER  OF  CONGRATULATION  from  Dr.  John  Morgan  to  S. 
Adams: 

"  I  sincerely  give  you  joy  on  General  Washington's  victory 
over  the  enemy  at  Trenton." 

Refers  to  the  flight  of  the  American  Army  from  New  York, 
written  from  Bethlehem,  December  3oth,  1776. 

STATEMENT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  for  procuring  cannon  for  Gen 
eral  Schuyler,  in  autograph  of  Sam.  Adams. 

A  LETTER  FROM  JOHN  ADAMS,   Boston,  September  3 ist,  1776: 

"  Hears  that  Congress  has  removed  to  Baltimore  or  to  Lan 
caster;  doesn't  know  which  to  believe.  The  Post  Office  has  done 
us  no  service.  This,  as  intelligence  is  the  soul  of  War,  is  a 
great  misfortune.  My  dear  sir,  our  salvation  under  God  de 
pends  on  the  expedition  with  which  the  Army  is  raised  and 
disciplined." 

ADAMS'  ORIGINAL  PAPERS,  Volume  for  1777.— K  letter 
of  Samuel  Adams,  Jr.,  written  to  Mrs.  Adams,  rejoicing  over  a 
victory  obtained  by  Washington  over  a  body  of  Hessians.  The 
Commander  of  the  Hessians,  expecting  instantaneous  death,  fel. 
upon  his  knees  to  the  General. 

ARTHUR  LEE  writes  from  Paris,  January  2ist,  a  letter  of  4 
pages,  4to : 

"The  peace   of    Europe   hangs    upon    a   cobweb      .     .     . 
Twelve   hundred  light  horse    are   raising  in    Germany     . 
You  must  have   three  or  four  thousand  light  horse  for  the  next 
campaign.      They  will  be  of  infinite   use  when   the  enemy  ad 
vances  into  the  country.      Both   our  men  and   horses  are  accus 
tomed  in  Virginia  to  gallop  through  the  woods.      General  Wash 
ington  has  a  far  more  arduous  part  to  perform  than   General 
Howe." 

He  quotes  Montecuculi's  observations  as  to  defensive  actions, 
that  they  require  more  address,  more  firmness  and  intrepidity. 
"  If  anyone  should  be  dissatisfied  with  the  campaign,  this  great 
man's  opinion  should  correct  them." 


In  a  FOLIO  LETTER  from  Baltimore,  Samuel  Adams  remarks 
upon  the  King's  defeat;  the  contest  with  America  is  now  con 
fessed  by  the  British  monarch  to  be  arduous. 

"I  think  he  greatly  deceives  himself  if  he  does  not  expect  it 
will  be  more  so.  Indeed,  he  sees  it,  for  we  must,  says  he,  at 
all  events,  be  prepared  for  another  campaign." 

In  a  letter  to  J.  Pitts,  Baltimore,  February,  1777,  Adams  ex 
presses  the  opinion  that  conspirators  against  the  State  are 
worthy  of  death.  He  desires  the  suppression  of  the  Tories. 

SAM.  ADAMS'  SON  writes  that  General  Washington  has  ordered 
him  to  "inoculate  the  New  York  forces  ordered  to  this  post" 
— Fishkills. 

FOLIO  LETTER  OF  SAMUEL  HEWES,  March  25th,  1777,  intro 
ducing  Major  Ward. 

A  LETTER  OF  SAM.  ADAMS,  which  is  particularly  interesting  as 
it  shows  his  dissatisfaction  at  the  military  policy  of  Washington 
at  that  time.  Though  Europe  and  America  are  applauding  the 
imitation  of  Fabius,  Adams  goes  on  to  express  his  views  of  the 
unfitness  of  the  comparison.  The  letter  is  written  to  General 
Greene,  May  i2th,  1777. 

LETTER,  July  nth,  1777,  Roger  Sherman  writes  of  military 
news. 

RICHARD  HENRY  LEE,  July  27th,  1777,  speaks  with  considerable 
foresight  of  the  result  of  Burgoyne's  plans ;  he  eulogizes  General 
Gates. 

LETTER  OF  SAMUEL  ADAMS.     Eulogizes  Gates. 

ROGER  SHERMAN  writes  a  letter  of  two  pages,  folio,  New 
Haven,  August  25th,  1777;  refers  to  late  successes  of  Stark; 
says  much  regarding  Gates. 

A  LETTER  signed  by  General  Heath,  4  pages,  folio,  Boston, 
August  27th,  1777,  is  devoted  to  a  description  of  the  quality  of 
the  soldiers  and  the  number  in  the  seven  regiments  sent  to  join 
the  Northern  Army ;  admits  that  there  were  some  lads  and  a 
number  of  negroes,  but  claims  they  went  through  in  official 
muster.  Many  particulars  as  to  supplies. 


RICHARD  HENRY  LEE,  York,  i5th  November,  1777: 
"  We  have  at  length  finished  the  confederation  and  shall  send 
it  to  the  different  States  in  a  few  days." 

A  LETTER,  with  signature  purposely  blotted,  Lancaster,  No 
vember  2oth,  1777,  announcing  that  the  writer  is  superintend 
ing  the  printing  of  the  articles  of  confederation.  It  appears  to 
be  slow  work,  for  he  says:  "I  had  rather  be  a  hogg-driver  than 
attend  his  press. "  The  latter  part  of  the  letter  is  occupied  in 
decrying  the  inability  of  Washington.  He  suggests  to  Adams 
to  communicate  the  first  part  of  his  letter  to  Mr.  Duane,  but  as 
to  the  latter  part,  "all  I  can  say  is,  you  are  a  man  of  prudence." 

A  LETTER  OF  7  pages,  folio,  of  R.  H.  Lee  from  York,  Novem 
ber,  1777.  Relates  that  he,  two  days  ago,  moved  the  recall  of  Mr. 
Deane.  He  palliates  Mr.  Deane's  conduct,  however,  in  some 
points.  Various  matters  concerning  Politics  and  Military  Mat 
ters;  refers  to  John  Adams,  General  Gates  and  others. 

DRAFT  of  a  proposed  arrangement  for  the  exchange  of  Prison 
ers,  in  the  autograph  of  Arthur  Lee.  Address  to  Lord  North 
by  Franklin,  Deane,  and  Lee. 

MINUTES  of  the  Committee  of  Correspondence,  November 
24th,  1777,  to  March  2d,  1779,  in  handwriting  of  William  Cooper. 
32  pages,  4to. 

A  BROADSIDE,  printed  at  Yorktown,  1777,  containing  extracts 
from  letters  of  Gates  and  others ;  a  military  letter  from  Williams- 
burg,  Va.  2  pages,  folio. 

A  LETTER  OF  FRANCIS  LIGHTFOOT  LEE,  two  and  a  half  pages, 
4to.  Yorktown,  December  22d,  1777.  He  writes  in  a  state  of 
almost  profane  excitement  as  to  the  prices  exacted  by  Clothing 
Agents. 

A  LETTER  OF  GENERAL  GATES. 

SAMUEL  ADAMS,  ORIGINAL  PAPERS,  Volume  for 
1778-1779. — A  2-pp.  folio  letter,  January,  1778,  to  R.  H.  Lee. 
Referring  to  campaign  of  1778,  expressing  loss  of  confidence  in 
the  officers.  Hoping  that  the  Commander-in-Chief  may  not, 
through  inferiority  of  inefficient  officers,  become  an  unfortunate 


general.  Throws  out  the  hint  that  if  France  delays  she  might 
regret  the  consequences  of  an  acknowledgment  of  the  Inde 
pendence  of  the  United  States  by  Great  Britain,  with  an  alliance 
against  France.  Commends  the  action  of  the  Virginia  Assem 
bly  as  to  supplying  troops. 

ARTHUR  LEE,  January,  1778,  writes  that  the  King  of  Prussia's 
secretary  assures  him  that  his  master  will  not  be  the  last  to 
acknowledge  "our  independence,"  but  he  cannot  take  the  lead. 

January  i4th,  1778,  Adams  sends  a  letter  to  General  Gates  by 
the  hand  of  Baron  Steuben,  who  is  to  wait  on  General  Wash 
ington  first.  He  expresses  favorable  opinions  of  Steuben,  and 
states  that  Steuben  offers  himself  as  a  volunteer,  "wishing  to 
give  no  offence  by  interfering  in  command." 

IMPORTANT  LETTER  OF  E.  GERRY.  Long  letter  of  William 
Williams,  the  signer,  February,  1778,  3^  pp.,  folio,  as  to  how 
the  "  Articles  of  Confederation  were  received  by  the  Towns." 

LETTERS  OF  ARTHUR  LEE,  speaking  of  the  effect  of  the  victory 
over  Burgoyne,  a  6-pp.  letter,  detailing  differences  between  the 
Commissioners,  .  .  .  Franklin,  "  otherwise  certainly  a  great 
man,"  possessed  of  a  weakness  as  to  dinners,  even  when  public 
business  is  on  hand. 

LETTER  OF  R.  H.  LEE,  Chantilly,  March,  1778,  writes  that  he 
is  engaged  in  raising  men  under  a  very  important  act — a  draft 
of  single  men  to  fill  up  regiments. 

EXPENSES  OF  S.  ADAMS,  April  27th,  1778;  August  i6th,  1779. 

A  LONG  LETTER  OF  PETER  THACHER,  May  ipth,  1778,  a  par 
ticular  account  of  the  firing  on  American  privateers  by  Conti 
nental  ships  in  Boston  Harbor,  for  hoisting  the  pennant  without 
permission  .  .  .  does  not  think  the  life  of  any  innocent 
man  should  be  subject  to  the  caprice  or  the  petulance  or  the  in 
solence  of  every  "  puppy  of  an  officer  who  shall  please  to  send 
shot  about  the  harbor. " 

JOHN  TRUMBULL,  June  4th,  1778,  expatiates  on  the  currency 
troubles. 

"At  present  all  the  money  the  Congress  have  emitted   is,  as 


29 


far  as  possible,    thrown   into   constant   circulation    because   the 
owners  are  fearful  that  it  may  die  in  their  hands." 

S.  COOPER,  July  6,  1778: 

"  Most  people  think  Clinton  will  be  surrounded  and  taken — I 
suspect  he  will  make  his  way  to  Amboy — in  either  case  the  war 
seems  drawing  to  a  close." 

GEN'L  PARSONS,  fine  letter,  July  9,  1778.  -Is  mystified  as  to 
army  movements  in  late  battle.  June  28,  1778: 

"  Tis  said  Gen'l  Lee  for  some  misconduct  was  arrested  on 
the  field  of  battle  .  .  .  been  tried  by  the  opinions  of  the 
court  and  dismissed  the  service." 

He  is  in  doubt  as  to  what  is  a  wise  course  towards  Lee,  and 
suggests  a  removal  to  a  command  where  he  can  do  no  injury. 
Refers  to  jealousies  of  the  military  chiefs : 

"  I  believe  Gen.  Gates  to  be  as  honest  a  man,  as  true  a  friend 
to  the  liberties  of  mankind  as  any  person  in  America  and  a  wise 
and  prudent  officer.  .  .  .  I  have  reason  to  believe  most  offi 
cers  of  distinction  have  taken  a  part  in  a  real  or  imaginary  con 
test  between  the  commander-in-chief  and  General  Gates." 

General  Parsons  is  desirous  of  having  a  separate  command 
that  he  may  avoid  the  unhappiness  of  taking  a  part,  or  the  alter 
native  of  standing  in  a  suspicious  light  with  all.  3-^-  pages, 
folio. 

ED.  BANCROFT  writes  a  6-j-page  letter,  defending  Silas  Deane, 
endorsed  by  S.  Adams,  July  13,  1778 — "The  above  was  deliv 
ered  to  me  this  day  by  Silas  Dean,  Esq're,  just  arrived  from 
Paris." 

A  SUMMARY  of  matters,  extracts  of  letters,  and  relating  to  acts, 
charges,  recriminations,  &c.,  of  Deane,  Lee  and  Franklin,  men 
tioning  Vergennes,  C.  J.  Fox,  Shelburne.  2  pages,  folio,  by  J. 
Lovell.  The  writer  calls  it  "  Fire  coals." 

MALACHY  SALTER,  Aug.  15,  1778.  From  Cork,  in  Ireland. 
Speaks  of  the  kindness  of  friends  in  Ireland  to  Col.  Ethan  Allen, 
a  prisoner. 

A  VALUABLE  LETTER,  2%  pages,  4to.  Philada.,  Sept.  7,  1778. 
Written  by  Gen'l  B.  Arnold  to  Henry  Laurens,  President  of 


30 


Congress,  to  whom  he  announces  the  formation  of  a  secret  plan 
which  will  be  "  attended  with  honor  to  the  arms  of  the  U.  S." 

OCT.  24,  1778.  Sam'l  Adams,  Oct.  24:  a  eulogistic  charac 
terization  of  the  bearer — the  Marquis  Lafayette. 

STATEMENT  of  a  loan  to  be  made  by  Holland  to  the  U.  S.,  in 
writing  of  Arthur  Lee. 

INTERESTING  LETTERS  respecting  the  breach  of  friendship 
between  Adams  and  Hancock. 

LIST  OF  SUPPLIES  of  money  from  Spain  and  France,  in  the  auto 
graph  of  Arthur  Lee,  with  names  of  ships  carrying  them — from 
France,  3,000,000  livres,  one  (million)  to  be  paid  for  in  tobacco' 

LETTER  from  James  Lovell,  speaking  of  a  late  battle,  the 
wounding  of  General  Erving,  &c.  : 

"  By  the  indiscretion  of  some  one  in  Congress  parts  of  Bing- 
ham's  letter  are  printed  which  should  never  have  seen  the 
light." 

LETTER  about  the  currency.  Letters  relating  to  Berkenhout, 
considering  him  a  spy. 

It  was  hard  times  with  patriot  James  Lovell,  Jan'y,  1779.  He 
wonders  how  he — 

" — hangs  together,  having  bought  one  suit — and  one  hat  in 
3  years,  this  latter  Hessian  cheat  being  gone  beyond  decency. 
I  am  asked  300  dollars  fora  pr  of  leather  breeches,  125  for 
shoes,  a  suit  of  cloaths  1600." 

JOHN  WINTHROP,  5th  Feb'y,  1779,  is  glad  to  find  that  Con 
gress  have  taken  up  the  affairs  of  the  Continental  currency : 

"The  Depreciation  of  the  bills  has  of  late  been  astonishingly 
rapid.  They  will  not  now  purchase  half  so  much  as  they  would 
a  year  ago,  and  the  prices  of  all  the  necessaries  of  life  are  rising 
every  week." 

LONG  LETTER  OF  JOHN  ADAMS.  Passy,  Feb.  14,  1779.  Has 
just  met  Lafayette.  Deplores  differences  between  the  Ameri 
can  Commissioners: 

"  This    Ct    (court)    has    confidence   in  him   (Franklin)  alone. 

We  may  have  further  Trouble,  and  tryals  of  patience — 

but  trouble  is   to  you  and  me  familiar   and  I  begin   to  think  it 


31 


necessary  for  my  health,  for  without  it   I   should  soon  grow  so 
fat  as  to  go  off  in  apoplexy." 

CONTEMPORARY  COPIES  of  letters  between  John  Adams  and 
Count  Vergennes. 

LETTERS  touching  on  the  Nova  Scotia  fisheries. 

A  LETTER  with  acrimonious  reference  to  Franklin,  using  a 
number  of  words  to  say  that  the  Dr.  lies  sometimes. 

R.  H.  LEE  gives  account  of  a  raid  of  Tories  from  New  York, 
men  who  came  up  the  Potomac  in  small  vessels.  Writes  of 
General  Lincoln's  victory  at  Charlestown;  asks  for  ships  to  clear 
the  enemy  out  of  Chesapeake  Bay. 

LETTER  OF  GATES,  July,  1779,  contemplating  a  probable  early 
end  of  the  war.  General  Gates  communicates  to  Adams  account 
of  damage  done  to  New  Haven  and  the  coast  generally,  July, 
1779. 

SEPT.  3,  1779.  Gen.  Gates  suggests  that  Steuben  be  wiser 
than  to  interfere  in  Party ;  wants  to  know  what  he  is  to  depend 
on  from  the  Council  for  the  Defence  of  this  Town  (Providence) 
and  State. 

"  GERRY  will  not  have  a  tooth  or  a  nail  left  if  several  whimsi 
cal  financiers  do  not  go  home  soon.  We  are  struggling  hard 
about  our  money. "  J.  Lovell,  Sept.,  1779. 

MOSES  HAZEN.  Long  letter,  advocating  the  taking  of  Canada. 
5  pages,  folio.  To  Gen.  Gates. 

JONATHAN  TRUMBULL  transmits  to  Gen.  Gates  news  from  Lau- 
rens,  from  South  Carolina,  the  arrival  of  Count  d'Estaing  with 
ships,  &c. ,  off  the  coasts  of  Georgia  and  Carolina.  (Copy,  sent 
to  Adams.) 

CONCERNING  the  children  of  Gen.  Joseph  Warren.  4  pages, 
folio.  MS.  of  S.  Adams. 

NEW  YORK  and  Massachusetts  boundary:  a  MS.  of  14  pages, 
traversing  the  matter  from  1654.  Some  part  in  handwriting  of 
John  Adams. 


32 

SAM.  ADAMS  ORIGINAL  PAPERS,  Volume  for  1780  to 
1782- — Letter,  January  4th,  1780:  "  I  am  sensible  it  is  much 
easier  to  find  fault  with  a  constitution  than  to  propose  good 
amendments." 

He  discusses  the  danger  of  giving  the  first  magistrate  a  nega 
tive  on  all  the  laws. 

THE  ORIGINAL  MINUTES  of  the  Committee  of  Correspondence 
of  Boston,  from  March  i3th,  1779,  to  March  6th,  1781,  42  pages, 
in  the  handwriting  of  Town  Clerk  Cooper. 

January  3d,  1780,  Letter  of  Adams  to  the  Governor  of  Rhode 
Island  urging  expulsion  of  persons  inimical  to  our  cause. 

A  long  and  confidential  letter,  5  pages,  4to,  by  Richard  Henry 
Lee,  Chantilly,  January  i8th,  1780.  S.  Deane  "has  avoided 
the  consequences  of  a  suit  bro't  by  Dr.  Lee  and  has  fled  to 
France." 

He  explains  how  he  was  deceived  by  Berkenhout,  "the  art 
ful  knave."  Connects  Paul  Wentworth  and  Deane  in  a  fac 
tion  unfavorable  to  America.  Though  suffering  from  a  fit  of 
the  gout,  he  will  commune  with  Adams.  "As  did  the  Stoic 
philosopher  when  disregarding  the  gouty  pain,  he  conversed 

with   a  great  man   of  antiquity I  seem  as   it  were   to 

be  present  with  you  and  giving  free  scope  to  my  mind. 
I  restrain  none  of  its  operations.  ...  I  expect  that  the  hard  win 
ter  has  saved  us  the  trouble  and  expense  of  meeting  General 
Clinton  in  the  field.  ...  P.  S. — My  little  son  of  five  months 
old,  whom  I  have  christened  Cassius,  grows  apace,  and  seems 
already  to  look  as  if  he  would  be  no  Lover  of  Tyrants." 

Carlisle,  February  3d,  1781,  John  Armstrong  writes  confiden 
tially  of  his  sympathy  and  favor  for  General  Gates. 

JAMES  LOVELL,  February  8th,  1780,  writes: 

"  I  do  not  know  that  we  can  possibly  get  an  army  unless  Mas 
sachusetts  perseveres  in  furnishing  what  I  know  she  has  judged 
her  disproportion." 

He  then  gives  the  number  expected  from  each  State. 

"  We  must  cut  throats  another  year  at  least,  and  we  ought  to 
do  it  vigorously.  France  and  Spain  will  persist  in  strenuous 
co-operation  for  the  purpose  of  securing  our  independence  and 
indemnifying  themselves." 


33 


ELBRIDGE  GERRY  expresses  his  happiness  as  the  children  of 
General  Warren  are  in  better  circumstances  than  as  represented 
in  "ye  proposed  subscription."  Is  desirous  that  something 
may  be  done  for  their  support  by  Congress. 

LOVELL  says,  February  i6th,  1780: 

"Congress  has  taken  so  much  notice  of  George  Walton's 
complaints  of  Brig.  Mclntosh  as  to  inform  him  his  service  in 
the  Southern  Department  is  dispensed  with." 

REPORT  of  the  Committee  of  Ways  and  Means  for  lessening 
expenses  of  Government,  signed  S.  Adams,  in  Senate,  Septem 
ber  24th,  1782.  25  pages,  folio. 

August  6th,  1782,  ARTHUR  LEE  writes: 

"  Everything  from  England  seems  to  announce  a  real  disposi 
tion  to  Peace." 

He  writes  some  reflections  on  Mr.  Morris.  Says : 
"  I  am  of  the  Committee  appointed  to  inspect  the  Depart 
ment  of  Mr.  Morris ;  Mr.  Deane  is  the  Chairman ;  such  a  choice 
seemed  to  point  out  that  Congress  did  not  mean  the  inspection 
should  be  productive  of  public  good  nor  have  I  any  reason  to 
think  it  will." 

His  opinions  of  Dr.  Franklin  and  rapacious  men  in  France 
are  strong. 

THOMAS  McKEAN,  Signer  of  the  Declaration,  writes,  3  pages, 
folio,  Philadelphia,  August  6th,  1782: 

"  Congress  is  at  present  composed  of  virtuous  men 

If  it  were  not  for  the  fisheries  and  Western  lands,  there  would 
be  more  harmony  in  that  body." 

He  thinks  the  British  Nation  is  prepared  for  a  Peace;  that  the 
success  of  Rodney  in  the  West  Indies  will  accelerate  the  minis 
try  in  laying  hold  of  their  opportunities;  he  advises  that  prelim 
inaries  be  adjusted ;  if  not,  Gibraltar  and  the  late  conquests  may 
change  masters. 

Samuel  Adams  seems  to  forget  his  hatred  of  Royalty  in 
expressing  his  own  happy  feelings  and  the  joy  of  the  country  on 
the  birth  of  a  Dauphin  of  France  in  a  letter  to  the  Chevalier 
de  la  Lucerne,  June,  1782. 

THE  ORIGINAL  MESSAGE,  with   a  fine  signature  of  John  Han- 


cock;  he   declines  to  admit  that  a  bill  has  become  a  law,  owing 

to  the  lapse  of  time 

"  Unless  a  circumstance  should  be  urg'd.  which  I  would  not 
presume  could  take  place  that  the  Representatives  of  this  Com 
monwealth  would  ever  bring  into  contemplation  the  Sabbath  as 
a  day  of  secular  business  with  me." 

Philadelphia,  April  2ist,  Arthur  Lee  writes  a  three-page  let 
ter,  in  which  he  refers  to  the  Assembly:  "An  infatuated  ma 
jority  in  the  bondage  of  folly  and  private  interest."  Speaks 
severely  of  a  prominent  man,  who,  with  a  petition  on  the  table 
of  Congress,  declaring  himself  insolvent,  not  only  sits  and  votes, 
but  treats  the  members  with  magnificent  dinners ;  he  is  alarmed 
at  the  proposed  admission  of  Vermont ;  thinks  the  small  States 
are  already  combining  to  dismember  the  large  ones,  but  your 
delegates  do  not  think  with  me.  Sure  I  am  that,  with  the  ad 
mission  of  this  little  State,  the  Confederation  will  end. 

J.  LOVELL  writes,  February  24th,  1780,  sending  pamphlets 
containing  treaties  between  us  and  France,  in  the  language  of 
both  countries.  When  the  sheets  were  partly  struck  off,  order 
was  given  that  they  should  not  go  into  the  Journals  for  other 
reasons  than  because  they  were  badly  printed — owing  to  the 
want  of  accents.  I  made  the  printer  complete  a  few  of  the 
treaties,  as  he  had  got  the  last  proof  corrected  before  the  decision 
to  leave  the  sheets  out  of  the  Journal. 

"  The  tickling  story  of  the  Stripes  hoisted  in  Holland  may 
have  its  run  but  I  have  some  proof  that  matters  have  been  con 
ducted  more  agreeably  to  Dutch  politics;  and  in  a  way  that  will 
produce  more  solid  good  than  the  pleasure  of  indulging  the 
proud  affectations  of  our  rising  Navy." 

March  iyth,  1780,  Lovell  writes  that  Mr.  Temple  is  coming 
out  with  the  following  proposals  to  Congress : 

"  G.  Britain  will  acknowledge  the  independence  of  all  the 
states  except  Sth.  Carolina  and  Georgia  and  the  province  of 
Maine  .  .  .  The  following  were  offered  by  the  British  King 
and  rejected  by  Mr.  T.  The  U.  S.  to  join  their  arms  with  G.  B. 
against  Spain,  &c.  In  regard  to  Continental  Money,  nobody 
can  tell  what  value  common  consent  will  from  day  to  day 
put  upon  it.  Three  hundred  for  one  may  be  demanded  next 
week." 


35 


GENERAL  B.  LINCOLN  writes  from  Charlestown,  February  23d, 
1780.  Believing  that  Clinton  cannot  take  the  town,  giving 
reasons. 

March  28th,  1780,  writes: 

"Our  public  horses  have  been  starved  for  want  of  forage; 
though  there  has  been  given  to  the  transportation  department 
almost  paper  (money)  enough  to  litter  the  whole  number. 
Mutton  is  $13  to  15  per  pound.  If  I  could  do  without  any 
cloathing  myself,  will  my  whole  income  give  food  alone  to  my 
dependents  ? " 

"  The  paragraph  in  the  paper  respecting  Clinton's  mishaps  is 

from  good  authority,  though  General  W n  desired  it  might 

not  be  authenticated  here  in  print." 

ARTHUR  LEE  writes  a  long  letter  as  to  the  doings  of  the 
French,  &c. ,  with  a  dig  at  Franklin,  L'Orient,  March  3oth, 
1780,  5  pages,  4to. 

Here  is  an  authentic  record  of  the  price  of  clothing  in  1780, 
and  the  success  of  a  patriot  in  trying  to  buy  breeches  cheap : 

t '  I  sent  for  cheapness'  sake  to  Lancaster  for  a  pr.  of  leathern 
breeches.  They  are  arrived,  at  first  Cost  two  hundred  200  the 
skip,  130  the  making — 330  dollars,  and  yet  this  is  called  cheap 
because  Mr.  Ned  Livermore,  a  youth  now  with  his  father  in  this 
family,  paid  for  a  pair  much  inferior  in  size  and  quality,  $320." 

This  is  part  of  a  letter  of  April  4th,  1780,  referring  to  the 
matter  of  money. 

PROPOSITIONS  OF  THE  STATE  OF  MASSACHUSETTS  for  raising 
money,  four  pages,  4to,  copied  and  sent  to  Adams  by  James 
Lovell,  22d  of  May,  1780: 

"  The  middle  and  eastern  States  must  comply  fully  and  almost 
immediately  with  all  if  not  more  than  all  the  requisitions  of 
Congress,  or  sudden  destruction  will  probably  come  upon  the 
whole  Confederacy." — "  I  promised  myself  that  General  Wash 
ington's  letter  to  Colonel  Harrison,  published  by  Rivington,  will 
make  the  enemy  heedless  and  rash." 

A.  SHIPPEN,  Philadelphia,  June  i7th,  1780,  writes  that  the 
British  are  making  sad  havoc  in  Virginia;  they  have  taken  six 
members  of  their  Assembly.  He  despairs  of 

"Assistance  while  a  certain  person  is  our  Minister;  he  has 
sent  his  resignation  to  Congress ;  this  is  probably  no  more  than 


a  State  trick  to  fix  him  more  firmly  in  his  saddle;  he  says  per 
haps  he  is  too  old,  but  he  does  not  perceive  anything  like  it  him 
self,  and  then  gives  a  strong  proof  of  it  by  recommending  his 
grandson  as  the  person  who  will,  in  a  year  or  two,  be  most  fit 
for  our  Plenipotentiary ;  from  this  recommendation  one  or  the 
other  of  these  two  things  is  clear;  either  Mr.  Franklin's  facul 
ties  are  impaired  or  he  thinks  ours  are ;  this  same  gentleman  is 
now  blackening  the  character  of  Mr.  John  Adams  in  Congress 
more  than  he  did  Mr.  Lee,  and  he  has  got  the  French  Minister 
to  join  him." 

LETTERS  REGARDING  MILITARY  AFFAIRS.  The  Defense  of  the 
Hudson,  &c.  Copies  by  Adams  and  Letter  of  General  Robert 
Howe,  June,  1780. 

A  FOLIO,  closely  written  on  both  sides  by  Samuel  Adams,  in 
cluding  copy  of  two  letters  of  Vergennes,  July  3oth  and  3ist, 
1780,  to  Franklin,  and  extract  of  a  long  letter  written  by 
Franklin  to  the  President  of  Congress,  August  9th,  1780,  refer 
ring  to  the  conduct  of  John  Adams,  stating  he  has  given  offense 
to  the  French  Court,  detailing  his  movements,  &c.  Chantilly, 
September  loth,  1780. 

A  LONG  LETTER  referring  to  the  Land  Claims  between  Vir 
ginia  and  Maryland. 

Again  Lee  criticises  Franklin ;  wishes  to  know  how  long  the 
dignity,  honor  and  interest  of  these  United  States  be  sacrificed 
to  the  bad  passion  of  that  old  man  under  the  idea  of  his  being 
a  philosopher;  he  is  immediately  referring  to  proceedings  of 
Franklin  and  others  over  the  case  of  a  French  privateer. 

ACCOUNT  of  the  Proceedings  of  Vermont,  New  Hampshire, 
&c.,  Philadelphia,  September  17,  1780,  written  by  Samuel 
Adams. 

A  LONG  LETTER  of  advice  as  to  American  Affairs,  written  by 
Samuel  Adams,  December  17,  1780,  to  John  Adams  at  Paris. 
Great  exertions  have  been  made  in  the  year  past  to  give  our 
invaders  a  decisive  blow,  but  the  second  division  of  the  French 
Squadron  being  blocked  up  in  Brest  and  a  re-inforcementto  the 
enemy  arriving  from  the  West  Indies,  they  have  had  the 
supremacy  at  sea.  He  refers  to  Cornwallis's  boasting;  speaks 
of  the  brave  Southern  army  checking  his  progress,  and  the  aid 


37 


of  the  militia  in  disconcerting  his  plans.  "  Arnold's  conspiracy 
was  to  have  wrought  wonders,  but  gracious  Heaven  defeated 
it."  Tells  him  of  the  building  of  a  new  ship  to  be  called  the 
Oceana. 

COPY  OF  AN  ARTICLE  from  Rivington's  Gazette  in  abuse  of 
Adams,  referring  to  his  enemy  Hancock,  and  Adams'  alleged 
preference  of  a  Yankee  General  to  the  Surveyor  of  the  Woods  of 
the  Dominion  of  Virginia.  This  is  copied  by  Adams'  own 
hand. 

LETTER  of  ten  pages,  written  January,  1781,  to  Samuel  Adams 
by  Elbridge  Gerry,  criticising  the  Governor  and  politics  in  a 
severe  manner,  January  7th,  1781.  Signature  has  been  pur 
posely  obliterated. 

A  PETITION  OF  THOMAS  CHASE,  Boston,  January  26th,  1781: 
''You  cannot  be  sensible  of  the  distressed  situation  of  the 
officers  who  have  served  under  me,  many  of  them  and  their 
families  are  suffering  extream  hunger  and  cold  for  the  want  of 
the  money  due  to  them  from  the  Public,  having  had  no  pay  since 
the  i  March  last  and  that  at  the  depreciated  value." 

RICHARD  HENRY  LEE  writes  of  a  military  situation  in  the 
South ;  refers  to  General  Greene's  movements : 

"  I  am  at  present  lamed  by  my  horse  falling  with  me  in  a  late 
engagement." 

MINUTES  of  the  Committee  of  Correspondence,  Inspection  and 
Safety  of  Boston  in  autograph  of  W.  Cooper.  43  pages,  8vo, 
March  i2th,  1781,  to  March  2d,  1784. 

ARTHUR  LEE,  Philadelphia,  August  7th,  1781.  Not  pleased 
that  Chancellor  Livingston  was  elected  Minister  of  Foreign 
Affairs,  though,  after  some  splenetic  expressions,  he  thinks  the 
event  is  fortunate  as  if  he  had  been  elected  it  would  have  dis 
appointed  the  wishes  of  his  own  friends. 

"Having  now  finish'd  my  business  with  Congress,  I  shall 
retire  and  whenever  I  have  reason  to  think  that  the  ratification 
of  a  Treaty  of  Peace  will  come  on,  I  shall  endeavor  to  get  into 
Congress." 

A  LETTER  OF  GENERAL  HEATH.  Thinks  the  people  of  Ver 
mont  are  warmly  attached  to  the  American  cause  as  any  in  the 


38 


Thirteen  States,  but  I  fear  there  are  some  designing  men  among 
them.  December,  1781. 

A  LETTER  OF  CONGRATULATION  on  the  capture  of  Cornwallis, 
by  Alex.  M'Dougall,  October  17,  1781. 

A  LONG  DOCUMENT  relating  to  Indian  Affairs  under  John 
Allan,  Commissioner.  Relations  with  the  Indians  during  the 
Revolution.  Presented  to  the  State  of  Massachusetts. 

SAM.  ADAMS,  ORIGINAL  PAPERS,    Volume  for  1783-1801. 
John  Hancock's  Message  to  the  Senate  and  Assembly,  respect 
ing    the    quartering    of    Rochambeau's    Troops,    M'ch,     1783. 
Act  for  the  Settlement  of  Public  Accounts  of  the  United  States 
(An  Act  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania).     9  pp.  folio,  M'ch,  1783. 
ELBRIDGE  GERRY,  M'ch  4,  1784,  writes  a  15-page  folio  letter: 
"  Our  adjournment  to  Annapolis   has  certainly   had  a  good 
effect;  the  object  of  the  inhabitants  here  is  altogether  pleasure. 
Congress  are  free  from  external  influence.   ...    I   am   clearly 
convinced  in  my  own  mind  of  the  rectitude   of   the   officers  in 
general   respecting  the   [order  of]   the  'Cincinnati.'     I   have   a 
great  opinion  of  these  virtuous  men." 

He  goes  on,  however,  to  oppose  the  plan: 

"  G W n  has  to  my  great  astonishment  written  a 

circular  letter  directing  a  meeting  of  the  representative  officers 
of  the  State  Cincinnati's  in  May  next  at  Philadelphia,  which  will 
be  the  first  meeting  of  the  Cincinnati  Congress — in  God's  name  may 

it  be  the  last.  The  G -1,  in  his  last  address  to  the  Army.  .  .  . 

urged  them  to  use  their  influence  to  increase  the  powers  of 
Congress,  or  in  other  words  to  alter  the  Federal  Government." 

The  fears  of  patriotic  men  were  excited;  the  newly  established 
Republic  might  be  endangered  by  the  establishment  of  an  aris 
tocratic  order,  and  there  are  a  number  of  letters  in  this  volume, 
relating  to  the  possible  malign  results  of  the  establishment  of 
the  "  Order  of  the  Cincinnati." 

April,  1783.  ADAMS  thinks  the  sooner  the  secret  Journals  of 
Congress  are  published  the  better.  Let  the  debates  of  Congress 
be  open  and  the  whole  of  their  transactions  published  weekly. 

S.  ADAMS  writes  to  GEN.  GATES,  May  2,  1783: 

"  I  most  heartily  congratulate  you  on  the  return  or"  peace  with 


39 


Liberty  and  Independence.  Blessings  for  which  patriots  have 
toiled  and  heroes  fought  and  bled.  Future  generations  can  never 
curse  the  present  for  carelessly  surrendering  their  rights." 

GERRY  writes: 

"  If  it  be  said  that  G  -  1  W  -  n  has  given  us  too  strong  proof 
of  his  patriotism  to  admit  of  a  jealousy  that  he  would  permit 
such  an  event  [loss  of  Republican  Independence]  the  answer  is 
easy  and  natural.  It  may  be  in  his  power  to  put  such  a  machine 
in  motion,  but  not  to  stop  its  progress.  The  military  should 
not  suppose  they  have  all  the  merit  of  effecting  the  Revolution. 
The  militia  is  not  to  be  overlooked.  If  a  monarch  loses  his 
Army  he  is  undone,  but  the  loss  of  a  Republican  Army  pro 
duces  exertions  that  furnish  double  or  treble  the  number." 

He  voices  alarms  as  to  the  possible  effect  of  a  union  of  mili 
tary  men  after  a  successful  war. 

ADAMS  writes  a  strong  democratic  letter  in  reference  to  the 
above.  He  also  requests  attention  of  Congress  to  Naval  officers. 
They  appear  to  him  injured,  or,  at  least,  neglected  men. 

LETTER  signed  by  a  "  Minister  of  the  Gospel  ": 

"  The  best  men  .  .  .  ask  where  is  the  Honorable  Samuel 
Adams  ...  to  whom  all  the  States  used  to  look  up  for  devices 
and  measures  of  procedure  in  arduous  cases.  "  (Refers  to  the 
Cincinnati.) 

GERRY  writes,  May  7,  1784: 

"Congress  have  completed  this  morning  .  .  .  instructions  to 
their  ministers  for  negociating  Treaties  of  Commerce  ...  to 
be  signed  by  Adams,  Franklin  and  Jefferson.  G.  W  --  n 
passed  through  this  place  and  I  am  informed  that  he  is  opposed 
to  the  plan."  (Confidential.) 

GERRY  says  of  the  "  Cincinnati  ": 

"  This  political  wolf  has  been  presented  in  sheep's  clothing  — 
to  recommend  the  harmless  creature  they  have  christened  it 
with  the  venerable  name  of  '  Cincinnatus.'  He  thinks  the  com 
plexion  of  Congress  is  good." 

Again,  14  May,  1784,  Gerry  reports  that  "Congress  nega 
tived  the  Hereditary  Titles."  (Order  of  Cincinnati.) 

JAMES  BOWDOIN,  respecting  a  bill  for  regulating  price  of 
coins. 


40 


LETTERS,  1784,  ADAMS  to  R.  H.  LEE,  congratulating  the 
country  on  his  (Lee's)  election  as  PRESIDENT  OF  CONGRESS. 

R.  H.  LEE  communicates  his  objections  to  the  New  Constitu 
tion.  Several  very  long,  earnest  letters,  October,  1787  (inci 
dentally  relating  proceedings  of  Congress).  Full  of  matter  of 
serious  import  for  the  success  of  democracy  and  considerations 
against  dangerous  centralization. 

LETTER  of  S.  OSGOOD,  Jany.  5,  1788.  Establishment  of  the 
Government  with  special  references  to  the  judiciary  .  .  .  represen 
tation,  &c. ,  &c.  Believes  if  the  new  Government  should  take  place, 
the  first  rebellion  against  it  would  break  out  in  the  town  of  Boston. 
Thinks  the  Philadelphians  are  deluded  in  offering  10  square 
miles  so  near  the  City  for  the  General  Government — a  few  years 
would  empty  the  city — drawing  away  the  people.  Wishes  the 
Government  of  the  U.  S.  to  have  10  miles  square,  but  let  the 
people  settled  there  know  they  are  freemen. 

Resolutions  of  the  Mass,  delegates  respecting  THE  CONSTITU 
TION  (about  Jan'y,  1788)  with  proposals  of  Eight  Amendments. 
Including,  among  others, 

"  That  there  shall  be  a  representative  for  every  30,000  inhabi 
tants.  That  it  be  explicitly  declared  that  all  powers  not  dele 
gated  to  Congress  are  reserved  to  the  several  States  to  be  by 
them  exercised.  That  Congress  erect  no  Company  of  Mer 
chants  with  exclusive  advantages  of  Commerce.  In  civil  actions 
between  citizens  of  different  states  every  issue  of  fact  arising 
may  be  tried  by  a  jury  if  the  parties  or  either  of  them  desire." 

N.  DANE,  a  letter,  2^  pp.,  folio.      N.  Y.,  May  10,  1788: 

"  Eight  States  have  now  determined  relative  to  the  consti 
tution  proposed.  ...  I  mentioned  in  my  last  the  application 
of  Kentucky  for  an  admission  into  the  Union.  I  am  just  in 
formed  .  .  .  Vermont  enquires  respecting  her  admission  into 
the  Union.  ...  I  am  persuaded  if  these  States  do  not  unite  in 
their  infancy  and  cement  the  Union,  they  will  not  do  it  here 
after." 

GERRY,  E.,  July  7,  1789,  congratulates  Adams  on  his  election 
as   Lieutenant-Gov.    of   Mass.,   writes  about   repealing  the  act 
against  secular  amusements ;  thinks 
"That  if  a  theatre  could  be  well  regulated  it  would  afford  not 


41 


only  the  most  rational  and  elegant  amusement,  but  also  a  school 
of  morality." 

Refers  to  Mr.  Henry's  company,  and  makes  a  strong  plea  for 
the  theatre.  Uncertain  as  to  Gov.  Adams'  views. 

GERRY  informs  Adams  of  the  amount  of  compensation  for 
members  of  the  House  and  Senate  as  fixed  at  $6.00  a  day. 
Doorkeepers,  $750  a  year.  To  the  Secretary  of  the  Senate  and 
Clerk  of  the  House,  $1,500  each  year,  and  $2  a  day  for  every 
day  of  the  session  of  Congress. 

"  Who  ever  supposed  that  a  Senator  or  Representative  would 
be  so  debased  as  to  receive  as  a  compensation  less  than  a  door 
keeper. " 

He  mentions  that  he  moved  to  strike  out  all  provision  for 
members  of  the  house,  .  .  .  but  believes  the  establishment 
should  be  just  enough  to  make  it  reputable. 

R.  H.  LEE  is  astonished  that  Roger  Sherman  opposed  a  motion 
for  introducing  into  a  bill  of  rights  an  idea  that  the  military 
should  be  subordinate  to  the  civil  power.  His  reason  was  that 
it  would  "make  the  people  insolent."  Expresses  thoughts  about 
State  Government,  accounts  of  constitutional  discussions,  &c. 

ADAMS,  a  letter  of  Aug.,  1789,  discusses  the  power  of  remov 
ing  Federal  officers  at  the  pleasure  of  the  President.  Particularly 
interesting,  Adams  takes  pains  to  say, 

"  I  now  most  sincerely  believe  that  while  President  Washing 
ton  continues  in  the  chair  he  will  be  able  to  give  to  all  good  men 
a  satisfactory  reason  for  every  instance  of  his  publick  conduct. " 

Adams  says,  contrary  to  his  usual  manner,  he  feels  himself 
constrained  to  make  profession  of  sincerity  on  this  question, 
because  in  Gordon's  history  it  is  stated 

"  I  was  concerned  in  an  attempt  to  remove  General  Washing 
ton  from  command,  and  mentions  an  anonymous  letter  to  your 
late  Gov.  Henry,  which  I  never  saw  nor  heard  of  till  lately  .  .  . 
reading  the  history." 

Ten  pages,  folio,  by  GEORGE  MORGAN.  The  account  of  the 
State  of  Indian  affairs.  How  to  wage  successful  warfare,  &c. 
Some  rather  revolting  suggestions  as  to  the  speediest  method  of 


ending  troubles  with  the  Western  Indian,  offering  rewards  for 
scalps,  ears  and  right  hands  of  an  enemy;  mitigated,  however, 
by  making  the  reward  double  for  each  male  prisoner  and  300 
dollars  for  a  female.  If  the  war  were  carried  on  and  continued 
by  giving  a  thousand  dollars  for  each  scalp,  it  would  be  ten 
times  cheaper  than  to  do  as  hitherto.  Gen.  Harmon's  expedi 
tion  cost  say,  $300,000;  but  suppose  100,000  only,  he  took  ten 
scalps,  which  then  cost  $10,000  each. 

LETTER  FROM  JOHN  HANCOCK  to  Adams,  August  1793. 

"As  to  myself,  infirm  as  I  am,  you  will  find  me  prompt  to 
plan  and  ready  to  execute  when  necessity  calls.  I  feel  for  my 
country,  and  will  not  give  up  the  liberties  of  the  people  to  the 
last  drop  of  my  blood." 

SOME  MSS.  relating  to  Citizen  Genet  and  the  French  Republic. 

CIRCULAR  LETTER  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Mass.,  relating  to 
speech  of  Hancock  and  resolves  of  the  Commonwealth,  opposing 
the  claim  of  a  federal  judiciary  over  a  state  sovereignty,  refers  to 
the  death  of  Hancock,  and  signed  by  S.  Adams,  Lieutenant- 
Governor. 

PROTESTS.  Papers  relating  to  the  demission  of  the  French 
Vice-Consul  at  Boston,  Citizen  Duplaine  denying  the  right  of 
the  President  of  the  U.  S.  to  effect  it. 

THE  MESSAGE  OF  ADAMS,  17  Jany.,i784,  to  the  Mass.  Legislature 
on  assuming  the  Governorship  on  the  death  of  Hancock. 

"  His  fellow  citizens  while  they  drop  a  tear,  may  certainly 
profit  by  the  recollection  of  his  virtuous  and  patriotic  career." 

He  limits  his  rights  as  Governor  to  stating  objections  and 
entreats  the  Legislature  to  dispatch  the  weightier  business  so 
early  in  the  session  as  to  afford  him  opportunity  to  perform  his 
duty  with  due  consideration  and  care.  Page  i  not  in  his  writing. 

DANNERY.  Communication  of  the  description  of  the  French 
Flag  as  adopted  by  the  Convention,  1794. 

OPINIONS  on  international  and  other  matters  of  law  by  James 
Sullivan. 

H.  KNOX'S  COMMUNICATION    from    the    War    Department,    of 


43 


John  Jay's  letter — deciding  on  the  statu  quo — regarding  the 
position  of  Massachusetts  according  to  the  peace  of  1783. 
Encroachments  are  to  be  abandoned.  1794. 

LETTER  TO  ADAMS  from  the  Sierra  Leone  Society,  with  copies 
of  statements  of  the  Governor  and  Council  of  Sierra  Leone, 
giving  names  (and  other  particulars)  of  ships  from  Boston, 
Salem,  engaged  in  slave  trading. 

THANKSGIVING  PROCLAMATION. 
INAUGURAL  ADDRESS  OF  ADAMS. 

ADAMS'  MESSAGE  regarding  the  mode  of  filling  vacancies  occur 
ring  by  reason  of  death  among  the  Presidential  Electors.  He 
had  signed  the  resolve  giving  power  to  the  Electors  themselves 
to  fill  vacancies,  had  delivered  the  same  to  the  Secretary  to  be 
filed,  but  afterwards  erased  his  name.  Raises  a  technical  ques 
tion  ;  and  if  it  has  become  a  law  desires  its  repeal. 

S.  ADAMS  (copy  by  his  Secretary)   writes  John   Adams,  April 

i7,  '79: 

"I  congratulate  you  as  the  first  citizen  of  the  U.  S.,  I  may 
add  of  the  world,  I  am  my  dear  sir — notwithstanding.  .  .  .party 
papers  your  old  and  unvaried  friend —  " 

CITIZEN  DANNERY,  some  time  since  representing  the  French 
Republic  at  Boston,  then  a  fervid  Republican,  writes  a  long 
letter  advising  the  Americans  to  settle  their  difficulties  with 
France  rather  than  exhibit  partiality  for  England.  He  descants 
upon  the  glorious  projects  of  Buonaparte,  and  presents  a  dazzling 
picture  of  his  present  and  prospective  successes — including  the 
conquest  of  India,  of  England  and  Ireland.  He  has  named  his 
son  Samuel  Adams.  Paris,  1798. 

THE  last  piece  in  the  collection  signed  by  Adams,  with  the 
trembling  fingers  of  age,  is  a  recommendation  of  a  descendant 
of  Gov.  Winthrop.  to  the  favor  of  Thos.  McKean,  Gov.  of 
Pennsylvania.  A  warm  answer  is  received  from  McKean. 

"  The  public  mind  has  for  a  few  years  past  been  very  different 
from  that  which  prevailed  during  our  American  Revolution  and 
at  the  time  our  acquaintance  commenced.  .  .  .but  now.  .  .  .our 
old  time  Republican  principles  are  once  more  fashionable," 


44 


LETTER  TO  JEFFERSON,  on  his  election,  May  24,  1801  (Adams,  by 
his  Secretary) : 

''  I  sincerely  congratulate  our  Country  on  the  arrival  of  the  day 
of  glory  which  has  called  you  to  the  first  office  in  the  Administration  of 
Federal  Government.  If  I  have  at  any  time  been  avoided  or 
frowned  on  your  kind  exhortation  in  the  language  of  the  most 
perfect  friend  of  man  surpasses  every  injury.  The  storm  is  now 
over  and  we  are  in  port." 

He  follows  in  ardent  strain  on  Jeffersonian  principles,  ending 
with, 

"Though  an  old  man  cannot  advise  you,  he  can  give  you  his 
blessing;  you  have  devoutly  my  blessing  and  my  prayers." 

Then  follows  a  copy  of  Jefferson's  letter  to  which  this  is  a 
reply.  (The  original  letter  is  among  the  unbound  pieces  in  Ban 
croft's  collection.)  It  is  after  Jefferson's  election,  March  29, 
1801. 

"  It  would  have  been  a  day  of  glory  which  should  have  called 

you  to  the  first  office there  exists  not  in  the  heart  of  man 

a  more  faithful  esteem  than  mine  to  you I  shall  ever  bear 

you  the  most  affectionate  veneration  and  respect." 

THOS.  McKEAN,  May,  1801,  writes  that, 

"We  have  lived  to  a  good  old  age — the  Counter  Revolution 
meditated  and  attempted  in  the  United  States  during  the  last 
four  years  appears  to  be  nearly  defeated." 

He  reflects  on  the  conduct  of  John  Adams  in  the  last  part  of 
his  administration,  assails  Tories,  and  quotes  Livingston's, 
saying, 

"  He  did  not  believe  it  possible  to  convert  a  Tory  to  a  Whig, 
nay  that  the  Almighty  Himself  could  not  effect  the  change  with 
out  a  miracle." 

The  collection  ends  with  a  letter  to  a  friend  predicting  the 
advance  of  democratic  republicanism,  the  breaking  down  of 
oppressors,  with  reason  to  believe  that  with  the  efforts  of  men 
of  virtue  and  science  the  spirit  of  war  will  cease. 

ADAMS.  The  life  of  Samuel  Adams,  by  Samuel  Adams  Wells. 
The  original  manuscript,  216  leaves,  folio,  written  in  a  very  neat, 
close  hand.  The  revision  and  completion  of  this  work  was  pre* 
vented  by  the  death  of  the  author,  after  which  the  MS.  passed 
into  the  hands  of  Mr.  Bancroft.  Folio,  half  red  morocco. 


PAPERS  BY  SAMUEL  ADAMS.  5  Vols.,  folio.  Let 
ters  and  papers  chronologically  arranged  and  with  an  index  in 
the  Autograph  of  George  Bancroft,  comprising  Adams'  Contri 
butions  to  the  Boston  Gazette,  published  under  a  variety  of 
assumed  names,  including  the  establishment  of  their  identity, 
matters  of  the  hot  controversies  of  Whig  and  Tory ;  Copies  of 
letters  to  the  Agent  of  the  Provinces  in  England,  as  well  as 
communications  to  Public  Bodies,  together  with  copies  of  letters 
and  answers.  The  names  of  Arthur  and  Richard  Henry  Lee,  of 
Franklin,  Warren,  Jefferson,  Elbridge  Gerry,  Washington,  &c. , 
are  of  frequent  recurrence.  The  bulk  of  material  is  of  the  period 
of  1768  to  1781,  but  the  dates  from  1768  to  1801  are  covered. 
Included  are  Resolves  of  Public  Bodies  of  the  various  Provinces ; 
1489  numbered  folio  pages,  written  on  one  side.  Loosely  inserted 
are  some  pages  of  related  matter  in  the  Autograph  of  Bancroft. 
5  vols.  folio,  old  half  calf  binding. 

SAMUEL  ADAMS  AND  THE  AMERICAN  REVOLUTION.  The 
original  MS.  in  the  hand  of  Samuel  Adams  Wells.  About 
1,000  leaves  of  finely  written  MS.  on  one  side  of  the 
paper.  The  author  here  presents  Samuel  Adams  through  his 
own  writings,  which  he  has  industriously  transcribed,  connect 
ing  them  with  biographical  and  narrative  material.  The  Letters 
and  papers  of  his  correspondence,  friends  and  opponents.  The 
work  is  preceded  by  a  table  of  contents  of  chapters  and  then 
commence  at  page  67,  in  the  year  1776.  The  first  66  pages 
apparently  missing.  They  relate  to  the  early  period  of  Adams' 
life,  and  perhaps  the  matter  is  given  elsewhere.  Three  Volumes, 
folio,  half  dark  morocco.  This  Manuscript  was  prepared  partly 
as  early  as  1815;  a  few  chapters  had  been  printed  when  the 
death  of  the  writer  ended  the  publication. 

REVOLUTIONARY  CORRESPONDENCE.  Inter-Colonial 
Committees,  1773-1774.  This  is  a  printed  title  of  one  of  the  Volumes 
comprising  the  collection  of  the  original  letters,  drafts  of 
letters,  and  documents  of  the  ''Committee  of  Correspondence." 
A  few  of  the  items  will  be  mentioned,  with  now  and  then  a  brief 
extract. 


46 


CIRCULAR  LETTER,  Boston,  May  i3th,  1774,  announcing  the 
Act  of  Parliament  shutting  up  the  Port  of  Boston. 

"The  people  receive  the  edict  with  indignation,  it  is  expected 
by  their  enemies  and  feared  by  their  friends,  that  this  town 
singly  will  not  be  able  to  support  the  calls  under  so  severe  a 
Tryal.  As  the  very  being  of  every  colony,  considered  as  a  free 
People,  bends  upon  the  Event,  a  Thought  so  dishonorable  to 
our  Brethren  cannot  be  entertained,  as  that  this  Town  will  now 
be  left  to  struggle  alone — General  Gage  has  just  arrived  .  .  .  ." 

Following  is  a  memorandum  of  the  Colonies  to  which  this 
letter  was  sent,  carried  "by  Mr.  Revere,  who  also  took  with  him 
to  Philadelphia  the  vote  of  the  town  to  be  forwarded  to  the  Col 
onies  Southward,  together  with  the  sentiments  of  Philadelphia." 

A  LETTER  of  Benjamin  Church  relating  to  the  importation  of 
tea,  December  3d,  1773. 

A  BROADSIDE,  the  "Resolves  of  Portsmouth"  to  prevent  the 
landing  of  tea  in  its  Harbor,  December  i6th,  1773. 

A  BROADSIDE  for  the  town  of  Newport,  January  i2th,  1774, 
being  various  Resolves,  including  "the  duty  of  every  American 
to  oppose  the  landing  of  tea."  Not  only  the  printed  broadside 
but  the  manuscript,  attested  by  the  Town  Clerk. 

May  2oth,  1774.  Record  of  the  Vote  of  the  town  meeting 
Newport: 

"We  will  unite  with  the  other  Colonies  .    .   .  to  procure  the 

establishment  of  the  rights  of  the  colonies,  particularly 

to  put  a  stop  to  trade  with  Great  Britain." 

March  1774. — Original  letter  from  Providence,  declaring  op 
position  to  the  Post  Office  Scheme. 

SEVERAL  LETTERS  from  Providence. 

A  DOCUMENT  announcing  the  sudden  adjournment  of  the 
Court,  to  the  town  of  Salem.  "We  have  a  right  to  call  it 
USURPATION"  (each  letter  a  carefully  formed  capital). 

Mr.  Revere  reports  helpful  offers  of  the  merchants  of  Phila 
delphia,  December  i2th,  1774.  Letter  to  the  Committee  at 
Newport,  advising  the  departure  of  a  British  Transport  with 
soldiers  believed  to  be  destined  for  Newport, 


47 


"  Our  enemies  doubt  not  the  bravery  of  our  Countrymen,  but 
if  they  can  get  our  fortresses,  our  arms  and  ammunition,  they 
will  despise  all  our  attempts  to  shake  off  their  fetters." 

RESOLVES  OF  THE  HARTFORD  HOUSE,  May  1774. 

A  FOLIO  LETTER  in' the  hand  of  Israel  Putnam.  Signed  by  him 
and  others.  "We  have  in  this  parish  as  high  a  Sence  of  our 
Liberties  as  an}  town  on  earth,"  Brooklyne  June  3oth,  1774. 
Also  another  of  Putnam's  ill-spelled  letters,  offering  to  make  an 
"exceptable  present  to  the  Town  of  Brooklyne  for  the  poor  of 
Boston." 

RESOLVES  of  the  House  of  Assembly  of  Hartford,  June  3d, 
1774: 

"  In  our  opinion  a  Congress  is  absolutely  necessary  previous  to 
almost  every  other  measure,  suggesting  the  earliest  date  which 
will  allow  time  to  communicate  with  the  other  colonies. "  Signed 
Silas  Deane. 

PROCEEDINGS  at  Brooklyne,  June  28th,  1774,  Protesting  that 
nothing  shall  be  bought  from  Great  Britain  and  the  East  Indies 
excepting  bibles,  pins,  needles,  gun  powder,  lead,  flints  (and 
some  other  items),  and  that  they  will  "maintain  their  liberties  at 
the  risque  of  their  lives  and  fortunes  in  spite  of  the  united  com 
binations  of  Earth  and  Hell."  Israel  Putnam  presides. 

A  LETTER  from  Pomfret  at  Col.  Putnam's,  Sept.  4th,  1774,  in 
flation  to  a  false  dispatch  relating  that  the  British  had  fired  on 
Boston.  The  people,  eager  for  a  fray,  evidently  regret  that  it 
was  not  true.  "  Can  Great  Britain  enslave  three  millions  of  bold 
undaunted  and  desperate  freemen?  God  forbid!  We  are  resolved 
to  die,  or  be  free." 

In  regard  to  the  robbery  of  powder,  "Make  diligent  search 
for  all  dasterdly  villians  ....  Keep  a  strict  watch  over  your 
powder,  for  that  must  be  the  great  means  under  God  of  the  sal 
vation  of  our  Country,"  with  signature  of  Putnam  and  others. 
As  the  conflict  is  nearing,  Gage  is  erecting  a  fortification  at  the 
South  end  of  the  Town.  In  a  letter  to  Putnam,  we  read: 

"  The  hour  of  vengence  comes  lowering  on  ...  demands  .  . 
if  not  answering  in  any  other  way,  must  be  thundered  from  the 
tongue  of  Mars,  which  shall  penetrate  the  ears  of  Monarchs." 


48 


June  1 6th,  1774.  Letter  to  Silas  Deane  approving  the  Re 
solve  for  a  General  Congress. 

"We  are  in  expectation  of  hearing  from  Salem  that  our 
Assembly  have  appointed  a  Committee  for  that  purpose." 

STONINGTON'S  ADVICE  as  to  the  forming  of  a  General  Congress. 
SEVERAL  pieces  signed  by  Deane. 

DENUNCIATION  OF  SAMUEL  PETERS,  with  copy  of  a  letter  of 
Peters  wherein  he  says  "the  Church  will  fall  very  soon  to  the 
Rage  of  the  Puritan  Mobility." 

"  For  my  telling  the  Church  people  not  to  take  up  arms,  the 
Sons  of  Liberty  have  almost  killed  one  of  my  Church — tarred 
and  feathered  two  and  destroyed  my  gown  and  cassock,  crying 
out — 'Damn  the  Church'." 

In  another  letter  intercepted  and  copied  Peters  expresses 
himself  in  high  spirits  and  says,  "on  the  arrival  of  more  troups, 
hanging  work  will  go  on,"  &c.  "  The  lintel  prinkled  on  the  side 
posts  will  preserve  the  faithfull. "  Also  copies  of  letters  opened 
and  read  by  messengers  disclosing  Peters'  views,  &c. 

"The  professors  of  the  Church  of  England  in  this  Colony 
(Connecticut)  are  generally  true  sons  of  Liberty."  Extract  of 
Letter  signed  by  Gray,  Wales,  Bissell,  &c.,  October  1774.  The 
use  of  Peters'  letters  was  considered  of  great  advantage  to  the 
cause. 

May  1 3th,  1774,  Samuel  Adams'  draft  for  the  Committee  of 
Correspondence  announces  receipt  of  the  Act  of  Parliament 
closing  the  Port  of  Boston,  exclaims  upon  its  cruelty,  ignominy, 
and  powerfully  exhorts  the  Colonists  to  regard  it  as  an  attack 
upon  the  liberties  of  the  whole  people  and  asks  if  "we  may  rely  upon 
you  suspending  your  trade  with  Great  Britain. " — i-J-  pages,  folio 
in  the  handwriting  of  Adams,  signed  by  a  member  and  certified 
by  W.  C.  (Cooper)  the  town  clerk.  The  letter  addressed  to 
Committees  of  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Philadelphia,  Rhode 
Island,  Connecticut,  Richmond,  &c. 

The  first  information  in  New  York  as  to  Gage's  being  on  the 
way  to  Boston,  a  letter  dated  New  York,  May  i5th,  1774,  say 
ing  that  they  had  received  news  by  an  English  Ship.  They  think, 
however,  that,  owing  to  the  winds,  Boston  will  have  already  re- 


49 


ceived  Gage.  It  is  a  fine  letter,  full  of  sympathy,  and  ardent  as 
to  measures  in  opposition;  announcing  a  meeting  to  adopt  a 
non-importation  and  non-exportation  agreement,  signed  Isaac 
Sears  and  Alex.  McDougall. 

New  York  proposes  a  Congress  and  the  proposition  is  approved 
by  a  Boston  Committee  in  a  letter  of  May  soth,  1774.  Several 
letters  expressive  of  the  distress  of  the  Poor  in  Boston.  Letters 
between  New  York  and  Boston  relative  to  suspension  of  Trade. 
New  York  leaves  the  matter  to  Congress.  New  Jersey  Letters  on 
the  same  things.  Letters  from  Philadelphia,  signed  by  George 
Clymer,  Charles  Thomson,  Thomas  Mifflin  and  many  others, 
referring  to  a  non-exportation  agreement,  considering  a  Gen 
eral  Congress  of  the  different  Colonies,  &c. 

A  LETTER  from  Newcastle,  August  2d,  17,74,  referring  to  the 
Boston  Port  Bill,  signed  by  Thomas  McKean,  George  Read  and 
several  others,  with  the  answer  from  Boston,  June  26th,  1774. 
Letter  from  Annapolis  proposing  a  Congress  at  Philadelphia, 
September  2oth,  1774. 

ADDRESS  to  the  Committee  of  Virginia  not  signed. 

A  LETTER  from  Annapolis,  26th  of  June,  1774,  proposing  a  Con 
gress  in  Philadelphia  and  offering  help  to  Boston,  with  the  origi 
nal  signatures  of  William  Parker,  Samuel  Chase  (Signer  of  the 
Declaration),  Robert  Goldsboro  and  others. 

PRINTED  BROADSIDE.  Resolve  of  the  Inhabitants  of  Balti 
more  County  on  the  Boston  Port  Bill,  printed  by  Enoch  Story, 
May  3ist,  1774.  Resolve  of  the  House  of  Burgesses  of  Vir 
ginia,  signed  copy,  George  Wise,  Clerk  of  the  House. 

May  1 4th,  1774,  setting  apart  a  day  of  Fasting  and  Prayer, 
the  ist  of  June,  date  of  the  taking  effect  of  the  Boston  Port 
Bill. 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON  appears  as  Chairman  at  a  meeting  of 
the  inhabitants  of  the  County  of  Fairfax,  the  i8th  of  July,  1774, 
in  the  town  of  Alexandria.  They  passed  twenty-six  resolutions. 
Resolution  24  is  that  George  Washington,  Esq.,  and  Charles 
Broad  water,  Gent.,  lately  elected  our  Representatives  to  serve 
in  general  Assembly,  attend  the  Convention  at  Williamsburg  on 


50 


the  first  day  of  August  next,  and  present  these  resolves  as  the 
sense  of  the  people  of  this  County  upon  the  measures  proper  to 
be  taken  in  the  present  and  alarming  and  dangerous  situation  of 
America.  Resolved,  that  George  Washington  and  several  others 
named,  be  a  Committee.  This  is  a  paper  of  12  folio  pages,  and 
is  signed  by  Robert  Harrison,  Clerk  of  the  Meeting.  Indorsed 
by  the  Town  Clerk  of  Boston.  Its  connection  of  General  Wash- 
ingtoji  with  pre- Revolutionary  movements  raises  it  to  a  paper  high 
in  interest. 

A  LETTER  signed  by  Charles  Washington  and  others  relating  to 
the  aid  given  by  Virginia  to  the  Boston  sufferers,  July  6th,  1775. 

LETTERS  from  Norfolk  and  other  Virginia  towns,  followed  by 
letters  from  Charlestown  by  Gadsden,  Timothy  and  others  with  a 
draft  of  a  letter  to  Georgia  and  part  of  a  Document  referring  to 
Florida. 

The  papers  in  this  Volume  are  numbered.  Total  of  pages, 
541.  Of  course,  the  documents  and  letters  vary  in  number  of 
pages.  A  number  of  letters  are  signed  by  the  individuals  of  the 
Committee  of  Correspondence  and  others  are  the  official  attested 
copies  sent  by  the  Committees  and  signed  by  the  Clerks.  The 
examination  of  the  Volume  and  taking  the  extracts  of  the 
letters  has  been  rapid  and  many  items  equally  interesting  have 
necessarily  been  passed  over.  The  letters  are  generally  in  the 
most  excellent  state  of  preservation,  having  passed  into  Mr. 
Bancroft's  hands  at  an  early  date.  The  arrangement  is  in  Colo 
nies  from  the  North  downwards.  It  has  been  possible  to  give 
but  a  few  hours'  attention  where  days  might  be  employed  in  ex 
amining  and  collating  these  yellowing  relics  of  the  Fathers  of  the 
Revolution.  It  may  be  noted  that  among  the  signatures  are 
several  names  afterwards  appearing  upon  the  "Declaration  of 
Independence."  i  vol.  folio,  ^  dark  morocco,  uniform  with  the 
two  following. 

REVOLUTIONARY  CORRESPONDENCE.  The  Papers  of 
the  Committees  of  Massachusetts  in  two  Volumes,  1772  to  1773 
and  1774  to  1775.  The  first  Volume  opens  with  a  Notification 
printed  by  William  Cooper,  Town  Clerk  of  Boston,  November  1 6th, 


51 


i772>  stating  that  the  town  having  appointed  a  Committee  of  Cor 
respondence  to  state  the  rights  of  the  Colonists as  men, 

as  Christians  and  as  subjects ;  and  to  communicate  and  publish 
the  same  to  the  several  towns  in  this  Province  and  to  the  world 
as  the  sense  of  this  town  with  the  infringements  and  violations 
thereof,  that  have  been,  or  from  time  to  time  may  be  made; 
also  requesting  of  each  town  a  free  communication  of  their  sen 
timents  on  this  subject.  The  free-holders  and  inhabitants  are 
notified  to  meet  at  Faneuil  Hall  the  2oth  of  November,  to  act 
upon  the  reports  of  the  Committee  of  Correspondence.  En 
dorsed  in  the  Autograph  of  William  Cooper.  Accompanied  by 
the  original  MS.  draft  written  and  signed  by  Cooper,  together 
with  the  returns  of  the  twelve  constables  who  served  the  paper 
(warning)  with  their  signatures.  In  view  of  the  work  performed 
by  the  Committee  of  Correspondence,  the  above  pieces  must  be 
regarded  as  relics  of  very  great  interest.  Then  follow  the  rough 
minutes  of  the  meeting  just  called.  The  Honorable  John  Han 
cock  presided.  It  was  here  voted  that  the  "Rights  of  the  Col" 
onists"  &c. ,  be  printed  in  a  pamphlet  and  that  the  Committee  be 
desired  to  disperse  six  hundred  among  select  men  of  the  several 
towns  and  such  other  gentlemen  as  the  Committee  think  fit. 
Following  is  the  draft  in  the  hand  of  Samuel  Adams,  of  fifteen 
pages,  folio,  being  the  "Rights  of  the  Colonists,"  as  Men,  as 
Christians  and  as  Subjects.  This  document  is  in  perfect  con 
dition  and  legibly  written  in  a  hand  rather  larger  than  usual 
with  Adams.  Considering  the  all-permeating  effect  of  this 
powerful  statement  of  rights,  the  interest  and  value  of  this 
original  document  can  scarcely  be  estimated. 

Then  follows  in  MS.  the  statement  of  the  "Infringements," 
&c.,  occupying  thirteen  pages,  folio,  amended  here  and  there 
and  with  two  insets.  The  Document  comprising  the  Infringe 
ment,  &c.,  consists  of  twelve  sections  (Section  i2th  with  cancel 
lation  marks). 

A  REPORT  of  the  Town  Meeting  of  November  2oth,  1772,  6 
pages,  folio,  in  the  handwriting  of  Cooper,  the  Town  Clerk, 
forming  a  letter  of  correspondence  asking  from  other  towns  a 
communication  of  their  sentiments,  with  postscript  in  Auto- 


graph  of  Samuel  Adams  describing  the  contents  of  the  foregoing 
papers. 

This  last  paper  was  aimed  to  collect  the  wisdom  of  the  whole 
people  in  a  deliberation,  * '  of  such  great  and  lasting  moment  as  to  in 
volve  in  it  the  fate  of  all  our  posterity. " 

A  BROADSIDE,  Boston,  September  2ist,  1773,  announcing  that: 

''Our    enemies    are    alarmed    at    the    union    which   they    see 

already  established  in  this  Province  and  the  Confederacy  into  which 

they  expect  the  whole  Continent  of  America  will  soon  be  drawn  for  the 

recovery  of   their  violated   rights." 

This  was  a  circular  letter  sent  to  various  towns  to  stiffen  their 
patriotism  and  exhort  continued  watchfulness.  Added  is  a  MS. 
notice  in  the  Autograph  of  Cooper  that  Tea  is  to  be  shipped 
to  this  place  October  4th,  1773.  It  is  a  copy  of  a  Boston  Ship 
owner's  orders  to  his  Captain  to  refuse  to  take  any  tea  on  board. 

A  BROADSIDE,  Boston,  November  23d,  1773,  signed  by  Wil 
liam  Cooper,  issued  by  order  of  the  Committee,  exhorting  the 
people  to  refuse  the  tea  and  explaining  the  consequences  of  re 
ceiving  it,  as  related  to  maintaining  their  liberties.  Following 
are  the  minutes  of  a  Meeting  of  November  24th,  1773,  present, 
John  Hancock  and  others. 

A  REPORT  of  a  Conference  with  Jonathan  Clark  and  I.  W. 
Clark,  consignees  of  the  tea.  It  did  not  end  satisfactorily. 

CIRCULAR  LETTER  referring  to  the  arrival  of  the  Tea,  also  a 
Broadside,  stating  that  there  "was  five  thousand  persons  at  the 
Old  South  Meeting  House,  who  made  votes  and  resolves  relat 
ing  to  the  tea."  The  Town  Clerk's  MS.  Copy  of  the  Questions 
between  Rotch  and  Hall  and  Consignees  of  the  Tea  at  Castle 
William,  December  7th,  1773. 

LETTER  OF  SAMUEL  ADAMS  sent  to  the  Committee  of  Plymouth 
and  Sandwich ;  the  draft  in  his  own  hand  endorsed  by  the  Town 
Clerk,  Boston,  December  i7th,  1773. 

"Gentlemen: We  inform  you  in  great  haste  that 

every  chest  of  tea  on  board  the  three  ships  in  this  town  was  de 
stroyed  the  last  evening  without  the  leas  (written  in  great  haste 
intending  the  word  least)  injury  to  the  vessels  or  any  other  prop 
erty.  Our  enemies  must  acknowledge  that  this  people  have 


53 

acted  on  pure  and  upright  principles.  The  people  at  the  Cape 
will,  we  hope,  behave  with  propriety  and  as  becomes  men  re 
solve  to  save  their  country." 

As  to  the  interest  of  this  bit  of  paper,  comment  is  unnecessary. 

Following  the  Documents  relating  to  the  Tea,  are  the  numer 
ous  letters  from  the  Committees  of  Correspondence  of  the  towns 
to  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  of  the  Town  of  Boston. 
These  letters  are  carefully  endorsed  in  the  handwriting  of  Town 
Clerk  Cooper.  Among  the  names  of  chairmen,  clerks,  num 
bers  of  Committees,  &c.,  are  those  of  men  known  to  fame  as 
well  as  many  of  those  who,  perhaps  village  Hampdens  in  their 
day,  are  now  lost  in  obscurity. 

The  town  of  Leicester  is  urged  not  to  submit  to  what  is  un 
worthy  of  an  AMERICAN. 

The  town  of  Lenox  describes  itself  as  situated  in  a  remote 
wilderness,  corner  of  the  earth  and  almost  the  remotest  and 
youngest  in  the  Province.  The  town  confesses  ignorance 
respecting  the  infringement  upon  our  rights,  &c. 

'Therefore  as  we  are  children  about  five  years  old,  we  depend 
on  you,  our  fathers,  to  dispose  of  things  we  know  so  little 
about." 

The  letter  is  signed  by  seven  members  of  the  Committee. 

The  resolves  of  the  Freeholders  of  the  town  of  Marblehead  of 
the  yth  day  of  December,  1773,  declare: 

''That  Americans  have  a  right  to  be  as  free  as  any  inhabi 
tants  of  the  earth 2d.  That  taxes  on  Americans  without  their 

consent  is  a  measure  destruct:ve  of  their  freedom.  ..." 

They  support  the  attitude  of  the  Town  of  Boston  to  the  Tea 
and  denounce  the  East  India  Company  for  daring  attacks 
upon  the  liberties  of  America,  so  long  and  resolutely  supported 
by  the  Colonies. 

This  volume  contains  ten  hundred  and  thirty  pages,  chiefly 
folios,  often  written  on  both  sides. 


54 
REVOLUTIONARY  CORRESPONDENCE. 


MASSACHUSETTS  COMMITTEES,  1774  to  1775.  Letter  of  the 
Committee  of  Correspondence  of  Massachusetts  to  their  agent  in 
London,  in  the  handwriting  of  Samuel  Adams.  Five  and  a  half 
pages,  folio.  A  strong  letter  referring  to  the  grievance  in  the 
matter  of  grants  of  the  Crown  to  the  Governor  and  the  Judges. 

ARTICLES  OF  IMPEACHMENT  of  High  Crimes  and  Misdemeanors 
against  Peter  Oliver,  Chief  Justice  of  the  Superior  Court  of  the 
House  of  Representatives  assembled  February  24th,  1774.  A 
document  of  12  pages,  folio;  in  perfect  condition.  Oliver  was 
impeached  for  receiving  a  Grant  from  the  Crown,  thereby 
approving  of  the  taxation  of  the  colonies,  by  which  the  money 
was  "extorted." 

A  BROADSIDE.  The  text  of  a  non-importation  agreement 
issued  in  June,  1774,  to  take  effect  October  next  ensuing. 
Accompanying  this  form,  which  is  to  be  used  for  subscribers,  is 
a  circular  letter  of  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  expressing 
in  patriotic  terms  the  reasons  for  the  measure  of  resistance  and 
displaying  the  consequences  of  a  subjection  to  Britain. 

"We  look  upon  this,  the  last  and  only  method  of  preserving 
our  land  from  slavery  without  drenching  it  in  blood,  may  God 
prosper  every  undertaking  which  tends  to  the  salvation  of  his 
people."  Two  pages,  folio,  signed  by  the  Town  Clerk. 

It  is  evident  that  some  of  the  neighboring  towns  criticised 
the  form  of  the  covenant  sent  to  them.  There  are  three  circu 
lar  letters  of  June  loth,  1774,  informing  them  that  it  is  enough 
to  keep  to  the  spirit  of  that  covenant. 

A  CIRCULAR  LETTER  to  the  Colonies  signed  by  Sam.  Adams 
enclosing  the  Act  of  the  British  Parliament  (Boston  Port  Bill) : 

"Wherein  it  appears  that  the  inhabitants  of  this  town  have 
been  tryed,  condemd  and  are  to  be  punish'd  by  the  shutting  of 
the  harbor.  The  Town  of  Boston  is  now  suffering  the  stroke  of 
vengeance  in  the  common  cause  of  America.  I  hope  they  will 
sustain  the  blow  with  a  becoming  fortitude  and  that  the  effects 
of  this  cruel  act,  intended  to  intimidate  and  subdue  the  spirits  of  all 


55 


America,  will,  by  the  joint  efforts  of  all,  be  frustrated.    General  Gage 
has  just  arrived  here." 

PRINTED  BROADSIDE.  The  Votes  and  Resolves  of  several 
Towns  of  Massachusetts  not  to  furnish  the  troops  in  Boston  with 
labor  or  material. 

A  LETTER  OF  JOHN  HANCOCK,  signed  as  President  of  the  Pro 
vincial  Congress  calling  on  the  selectmen  of  Boston  for  consul 
tation.  In  January,  1775,  are  letters  announcing  the  arrival  of 
London  papers  containing  the  King's  speech.  Sam.  Adams 
thinks  it  contains  such  sentiments  with  regard  to  America  that 
it  must  be  communicated  to  the  colonies  as  early  as  possible. 

DRAFT  OF  LETTER  in  writing  of  Sam.  Adams  sent  to  Quebec 
and  Montreal,  6  pages,  folio,  soliciting  the  assistance  of  Cana 
dians.  A  little  before  the  Battle  of  Lexington,  March  soth, 
1775,  is  a  call  for  a  meeting  to  determine  upon  measures  of 
safety. 

'*  The  alarming  manoeuvre  of  a  large  detachment  of  the  Army 
is  the  reason  of  our  desiring  your  attendance. " 

Signed  by  the  Town  Clerk. 

Several  of  the  letters  exhibit  glimpses  of  the  privations  and 
sufferings  of  the  people  of  Boston.  The  Committee  of  Corre 
spondence  is  active  in  suggesting  retaliation  in  the  manner  now 
pretty  generally  described  as  the  boycott. 

A  PRINTED  BROADSIDE  of  February  25th,  1775,  being  a 
letter  of  the  Committees  of  several  towns  urging  that  supplies 
be  kept  from  the  troops.  The  people,  as  represented  by  the 
Committees  of  several  towns,  have  reached  the  last  stage  of 
endurance.  In  the  draft  of  their  letter  to  the  Concord  Congress, 
March  3ist,  1775,  they  name  the  various  outrages  they  have 
submitted  to,  and  relate  the  acts  of  the  soldiery,  and  are  deter 
mined  to  be  secured  from  the  •'  inroads  of  these  murther- breath 
ing  enemies." 

RESOLUTIONS  of  the  Town  of  Gorham.  A  list  of  about  two 
hundred  names  of  the  inhabitants  signing  the  non-importa 
tion  agreement,  June,  1774.  Signatures  not  autographic. 
Elbridge  Gerry,  Signer  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence, 


56 


writes  a  letter  from  Marblehead  sympathizing  with  Boston, 
March  22d,  1774.  In  this  letter  Gerry  and  others  announce 
the  resignation  of  their  several  offices ;  the  "  savage  mobility  " 
have  committed  lawless  outrages,  "and  there  must  be  material 
alteration  in  ye  conduct  of  ye  inhabitants."  This  is  followed  by 
Samuel  Adams'  draft  of  an  answer,  in  which  he  mildly  criticises 
the  action  of  the  Marblehead  Committee.  This  is  followed  by  a 
long  and  important  letter  of  Elbridge  Gerry,  5  pages,  folio,  pro 
posing  measures  for  the  improvement  of  the  militia  of  the  pro 
vince.  He  says,  "that  enemies  have  taught  Americans  to  hold 
the  most  exalted  ideas  of  British  troops  and  ye  most  diminutive 
opinion  of  their  own  power  ": 

"  With  ten  thousand  regulars  (say  they  are  creatures)  we  can 
march  through  ye  continent.  May  America  have  a  fair  oppor 
tunity  improved  for  introducing  her  sons  to  the  art  of  war,  and 
then  be  marked  a  cowardice  if  fearful  to  meet  any  of  her  ene 
mies  with  equal  numbers!!  " 

Throughout  the  letter  he  urges  the  instruction  of  raw  militia 
men  with  a  view  to  their  coping  with  disciplined  troops.  Let 
ter  signed  and  written  by  Gerry,  4th  of  April,  1774.  He  sug 
gests  that  the  Committee  be  supplied  with  a  book  on  Military 
Exercises,  called  the  Norfolk  Exercise,  with  plates.  "  For  that 
I  suppose  is  the  best."  There  are  other  important  letters  of 
Elbridge  Gerry,  not  signed.  Signatures  were  not  always  desir 
able. 

On  June  7th,  1774,  citizens  offer  the  use  of  their  stores  to  their 
oppressed  brethren  of  Boston.  Here  is  the  original  paper  with 
the  autograph  signatures  of  the  generous  patriots  of  Marblehead, 
including  several  of  the  Gerry  family,  Joshua  Orne,  Richard 
Harris,  Samuel  Collyer  and  many  others.  Gerry  writes  July 
23d,  1774,  urging  that  the  request  of  Mr.  Dickinson  and  Mr. 
Reed  of  Philadelphia,  in  relation  to  an  attendance  at  ye 
Congress,  will  be  not  neglected.  Though  the  writing  of 
Elbridge  Gerry,  the  letter  is  signed  by  John  Gerry  in  behalf  of 
the  Committee  of  Marblehead.  The  letters  of  Gerry  and  those 
drafted  by  him  are  of  the  highest  interest  in  connection  with  the 
progress  of  the  Revolution,  preparation  of  the  military,  &c. 

The   arrangement  of  the  letters  in  this  volume  is  a  general 


alphabet  of  the  names  of  the  towns,  commencing  after  the  Boston 
papers,  with  the  town  of  Abington  and  ending  with  the  town  of 
York.  Together  834  pages,  folio,  half  dark  morocco. 

MINUTES  OF  THE  PROCEEDINGS  OF  THE  COM 
MITTEE  OF  CORRESPONDENCE  which  met  at  the  Rep 
resentatives'  Chamber,  Boston,  from  November  3d,  1772,  to 
Sunday  noon,  May  22d,  1774.  Of  one  paging  721,  of  the  other 
876.  This  is  a  series  of  the  most  extraordinary  importance  in 
studying  the  growth  and  development  of  the  union  of  the  Colonies. 
It  is  remarkable  that  the  series  has  been  preserved  and  in  its  com 
pleteness.  The  collection  comprises  thirteen  folio  books  in  the 
original  marble  paper  cover,  (the  thirteenth  being  the  alphabet 
or  index),  almost  entirely  in  the  handwriting  of  William  Cooper, 
the  Town  Clerk.  These  volumes  are  in  wonderfully 'good  con 
dition. 

VOTES  AND  PROCEEDINGS  of  the  General  Assembly  of 
Massachusetts  at  a  Session,  beginning  January  6,  1773,  and  the 
General  Assembly  of  the  following  year,  beginning  January 
26th,  1774.  2  books,  folio,  bound  in  old  marbled  paper.  With 
the  exception  of  a  few  pages  these  volumes  are  in  the  handwrit 
ing  of  Samuel  Adams.  The  first  volume  includes  January  6th, 
I773>  to  February  2oth,  1773.  Second  volume  includes  January 
26th,  1774,  to  March  5th,  1774. 

It  is  needless  to  enlarge  upon  the  important  proceedings  of 
this  period  further  than  to  state  they  immediately  preceded  the 
Revolution,  and  represent  the  extremities  of  political  conflict 
between  the  Governor,  representing  Great  Britain,  and  the 
people  represented  in  this  Assembly.  Opposite  the  page  for 
February  24th,  1774,  loosely  inserted,  is  the  Order  of  Impeach 
ment  of  Chief-Justice  Oliver,  signed  by  T.  Gushing,  Speaker. 


58 

ORIGINAL   LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS. 

BOUND. 

FRANKLIN,   B.     AUTOGRAPH  LETTERS    OF    BEN.     FRANKLIN. 

BOUND    IN     ONE     VOLUME,      FOLIO,     RED     MOROCCO,   HS    follows. 

Included  in  this  volume  are  12  portraits  of  Franklin. 

FRANKLIN,  B.  A.  L.  S.  2%  pp.  folio.  Lond.,  Feb.  2,  1774. 
To  Gushing,  Adams,  Hancock,  Phillips.  A  MOST  IMPORTANT 
PIECE.  Acknowledging  receipt  of  the  account  [from  Boston] 
of  the  proceedings  relative  to  the  DESTRUCTION  OF  THE 
TEA.  He  expresses  his  opinions  at  length,  his  view  of  what 
is  prudent  for  the  colony  to  do  in  respect  to  the  matter,  and 
hopes  that  he  will  not  give  offence  to  any.  A  splendid  speci 
men,  in  the  most  perfect  state  of  preservation.  Endorsed 
by  Sam'l  Adams. 

FRANKLIN,  B.  A.  L.  S.  Lond.,  March  9,  1773.  To  Wm. 
Cooper,  Town  Clerk  of  Boston,  acknowledging  his  favor  of 
Dec.  8  [1772],  with  a  copy  of  "the  proceedings  of  your  town 
meeting."  "I  have  also  reprinted  your  pamphlet  to  make 
your  grievance  more  generally  known  here."  i  p.,  folio, 
fine  specimen.  Endorsed  in  autograph  of  Cooper. 

FRANKLIN,  B.  Contemporary  Copy  of  a  letter.  2^  pp.,  4to. 
London,  Sept.  3,  1774.  To  Thos.  Cushing.  "  Conduct  of 
Americans  has  surprised  and  disappointed  our  enemies." 

FRANKLIN,  B.  A.  L.  S.  London,  Oct.  6,  1774.  2^  pp., 
folio.  Speaks  of  the  good  effects  a  non-importation  resolve 
by  Congress  will  have;  perhaps  turn  out  the  ministerial 
party;  discourages  violent  acts,  injury  to  private  property, 
etc.  ;  prays  God  to  govern  everything  for  the  best. 

FRANKLIN,  B.  London,  Oct.  10,  1774.  2  pp.,  4to.  To 
Cushing.  Announces  the  election  of  Wilkes ;  suggests  that 
if  America  would  save  the  money  for  three  or  four  years  she 
spends  in  the  fashions  and  fineries  and  fopperies  of  this 
country,  she  might  buy  the  whole  Parliament,  ministers 
and  all. 

FRANKLIN,  B.  A.  L.  S.  2  pp.,  4to.  Passy,  March  2,  1778. 
To  Sam.  Adams.  Announcing  the  conclusion  and  remit 
tance  of  the  treaty  with  France.  "America  at  present 
stands  in  the  highest  light  of  esteem  and  respect  through 
out  Europe.  A  return  to  dependence  on  England  would 
sink  her  into  eternal  contempt." 


59 


WARREN,   Dr.   JOSEPH.      Killed  at  Bunker  Hill.      A  volume 

of  Letters,  as  follow,  bound  in  dark  green  morocco,  gilt: 
A.    L.    S.      Boston,  June  15,  1774.     4   pp.,    4to.     Regarding  a 
meeting;    referring    to  Tea   troubles.      "The    Mistress   we 
court  is  LIBERTY,  and  it  is  better  to  die  than  not  to  obtain 
her." 

A.    L.    S.      4  pp.,   folio.      Aug.  15,  1774  (written   to  Adams). 
Gage  has  told  the  selectmen  that  Town  meetings  are  prohibited. 
Urges   spirited   resolutions  to  encourage  the  faint-hearted. 
"The  famous   General  Putnam  is  now  in  my  house 
with  a  generous  donation  of  sheep." 

A.  L.  S.  4pp.,  folio.  Aug.  21  [1774].  "A  non-importation 
and  non-exportation  to  Britain,  Ireland  and  the  West  Indies 
is  now  the  most  moderate  measure  talked  of.  It  is  my 
opinion  that  nothing  less  will  prevent  bloodshed  two  months 
longer."  He  makes  calculations  of  the  effect  on  members 
of  Parliament  of  a  decrease  from  Irish  revenue  on  account 
of  a  non-exportation  of  flax.  Signed  J.  W. 

A.  L.  S.  Boston,  Aug.  29,  1774.  r2  pp.,  folio.  "Nothing  will 
satisfy  the  people  but  a  resolve  of  non-intercourse  with 
Great  Britain  or  her  officials." 

A.  L.  S.  [Sept.,  1774.]  8pp.,  4to.  To  Adams  at  Philada. 
Tells  about  the  mighty  expedition  to  the  arsenal  at  Cam 
bridge.  "A  billet  was  brought  asking  me  to  ...  prevent 
the  people  from  coming  to  immediate  acts  of  violence,  as 
incredible  numbers  were  in  Arms  from  Tuxbury  to  Cam 
bridge. "  Goes  on  to  give  accounts  of  affairs  in  Boston,  and 
of  the  spirit  and  doings  of  the  people  in  the  country.  "  But 
a  few  months  longer,"  etc. 

A.  L.  S.  Sept.  12,1774.  "  I  wrote  yesterday  by  Mr.  Revere  ask 
ing  advice ;  the  people  are  discussing  a  form  of  government ; 
they  say  they  have  a  right  to  take  what  form  of  government 
they  please;  the  king  has  dissolved  his  connection  by  break 
ing  the  compact."  This  letter  is  signed  "your  known 
Friend  " — going  by  the  post  it  was  subject  to  inquisition. 

ADAMS,  S.  Phila. ,  Sept.  1774.  Acknowledges  the  above  in  a 
2  pp.,  4to,  unsigned  letter.  Thinks,  as  there  is  difference 
between  the  East  and  West  sections,  it  is  perhaps  best  to 
stick  to  fair  government  under  the  present  charter;  sugges 
tions,  etc. 

ADAMS,  S.  Autograph  Letter.  Phil.  Sept.  25,  1774.  Advice;  re 
fers  to  a  suspicion  of  some  that  Massachusetts  may  be  aim- 


60 


ing  at  a  total  independence,  not  only  of  the  mother  country 
but  of  the  colonies  too ;  that  as  we  are  a  hardy  and  brave 
people  we  shall  in  time  overrun  them  all;  this  "must  be 
attended  to  in  your  deliberations. "  Dickinson  thinks  "if 
Boston  can  safely  remain  on  the  defensive  the  liberties  of 
America  ....  will  be  preserved.  Congress  in  their 
resolve  of  the  iyth  instance  have  given  their  sanction  to  the 
Resolutions  of  the  County  of  Suffolk  "...  The  sense 
of  Congress  is  that  if  it  is  necessary  for  defence  of  their  lives 
and  liberty  they  should  act  and  would  be  supported.  Un 
signed.  2^  pp.,  4to. 

WARREN,  JOS.  Letter  of  4  pp.  Boston,  Sept.  29,  1774. 
Information  as  to  the  fortifying,  and  other  acts,  carried  on 
by  Gage;  private  insults  from  the  soldiery,  who  treat  us  "as 
enemies  rather  than  fellow  subjects."  He  says,  except  for 
the  cautions  of  Congress  there  would  have  been  bloodshed. 
"  Made  us  tremblingly  alive  all  over."  The  High  Sons  of 
Liberty  of  Roxbury  gave  to  the  flames  a  load  of  straw- 
intended  for  the  soldiers.  Excuse  the  want  of  form  in  the 
letter  as  Mr.  Revere  waits  for  it. 

WARREN,  JOS.  A.  L.  S.  Feb.  10,  1775.  4  pp.,  4to.  Is 
evidently  eager  for  action ;  speaks  of  a  rumour  of  trouble, 
and  that  he  went  to  the  Ferry  to  share  any  probable  danger; 
the  Colonists  are  misrepresented  in  England,  and  he  ap 
proves  of  sending  a  schooner  to  inform  Englishmen  of  the 
truth. 

WARREN,  JOS.  Cambridge,  May  14,  1775.  4pp,.4to.  Along 
and  important  letter,  discussing  matters  of  government, 
doings  at  Boston,  propositions  as  to  the  appointment  of  a 
generalissimo,  statement  of  the  strength  of  the  Patriot 
Army.  "  If  the  proposed  army  of  30,000  men  can  be 
quickly  got  together  I  believe  this  summer  will  bring  our 
disputes  with  Great  Britain  to  a  happy  end." 

WARREN.  JOS.  A.  L.  S.  2  pp.,  folio.  Cambridge,  May  26, 
1775.  The  last  letter  in  the  book,  and  written  less  than  a 
month  before  his  death  on  Bunker  Hill.  Craving  for  a  civil 
government;  irregularities  of  the  soldiers  are  becoming 
troublesome;  yet  he  admires  them — their  errors  are  natural. 
"They  left  their  homes,  their  families,  with  nothing  but  the 
cloaths  on  their  backs,  without  a  days  provision  and  many 
without  a  farthing  in  their  pockets — their  country  was  in 
danger,  their  brethren  were  slaughtered — their  arms  alone 
engrossed  their  attention — as  they  passed  thro'  the  country 
the  inhabitants  gladly  opened  their  hospitable  doors." 


61 


JANET  MONTGOMERY  AND  HORATIO  GATES.  8vo, 
bound  in  dark  blue  morocco,  stamped  "  George  Bancroft." 

"  SIR:  I  have  dropt  a  tear  over  your  billet  without  being 
able  to  make  the  request  you  wish  .  .  .  sensible  of  your  merits 
I  shall  ever  be  flattered  by  being  assured  of  your  friendship, 
and  that  in  ceasing  to  love  me  my  unaffected  candour  may 
always  entitle  me  to  your  esteem  .  .  .  JANET  MONT 
GOMERY."  A.  L.  S.  2  pp.,  8vo,  no  date. 

DRAFT  of  Gates'  answer  in  his  autograph. — "Nothing 
could  have  enhanced  the  value  of  the  Jewell  I  have  lost  as 
the  politeness  and  elegant  sensibility  of  your  answer  to  my 
billet.  Suffer  me  to  weep  over  it  ...  may  heaven's 
choicest  blessing  constantly  await  you  in  this,  and  may  the 
joys  of  immortality  in  the  bosom  of  our  departed  friend  be 
yours  in  the  world  to  come."  i^  pp. 

PITT,  WM.,  AND  GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  A  folio  volume 
of  letters  and  autographs  in  blue  morocco,  so  lettered,  and 
stamped  "George  Bancroft."  Contains: 

WILLIAM  PENN.  A.  L.  S.  LOND.,  1703.  2  pp.,  4to.  Re 
specting  the  "affaire  of  ye  Pedlers  and  coynage  " ;  states 
that  he  is  related  by  marriage  to  Lord  Fairfax  (portrait). 
Others  as  follows : 

W.  PITT.  Letter  of  12  folio  pages,  signed  by  Pitt.  A  docu 
ment  of  great  interest  and  importance  as  it  is  the  secret  in 
formation  and  instructions  addressed  to  the  Governor  and 
Company  of  Connecticut  as  to  the  plan  for  conquering 
Canada;  arrangement  for  troops,  &c. 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  A.  L.  S.  2  pp.,  4to.  Cambridge, 
March  22d,  1776.  To  Samuel  Adams,  referring  to  a  pro 
posed  road  from  Connecticut  River  to  Montreal;  his  own 
knowledge  of  that  country  only  derived  from  maps. 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  LETTER  SIGNED.  [A  letter 
in  writing  of  another]  Fine  condition,  folio.  To  Samuel 
Adams.  Headquarters,  loth  August,  1783.  The  acknowl 
edgment  of  his  receipt  of  the  address  of  the  Senate  and 
House  of  the  Commonwealth  of  Massachusetts. 

GEORGE  WASHINGTON.  A.  L.  S.  Mount  Vernon,  3ist 
March,  1784.  2  pp.,  4to.  To  E.  Gerry.  Declines  to  certify 
matters  respecting  a  claim  of  Mr.  Gridley ;  and  invites  Gerry 
and  any  of  his  brother  delegates  to  visit  him  "  at  this  re 
treat. "  Fac-simile  of  a  letter  of  Mary  Washington;  other 
fac-similes  (Newton,  &c.),  used  only  for  padding. 


PRESCOTT,  WM.,  Commanded  at  Bunker  Hill.  A.  L.  S.  i 
page,  folio,  bound,  with  a  number  of  blank  leaves,  in  one 
volume,  folio,  red  morocco.  The  letter  is  the  communica 
tion  of  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  of  the  Town  of 
Pepperell,  Aug.  9,  1774,  breathing  the  highest  sentiments 
of  patriotism.  "  Is  a  glorious  death  in  defence  of  our  Lib 
erties  better  than  a  short  infamous  life,  and  our  memories 
to  be  held  in  detestation." 

ADAMS,  JOHN,  AND  JOHN  QUINCY.— A  4to  volume,  bound 
in  dark  green  morocco,  gilt  top,  stamped  "Geo.  Bancroft." 
Includes  an  A.  L.  S.  on  political  and  military  matters,  ques 
tions  of  importance  to  the  army,  &c.,  by  John  Adams,  Aug. 
18,  1776,  2^  pp.  The  first  letter  written  by  John  to  Sam'l 
Adams  after  the  arrival  of  the  former  in  Europe.  Passy, 
May  21,  1778.  The  situation  of  Europe;  movement  of 
fleets.  "  Chatham  the  great  is  no  more. "  States  that  there 
are  three  Commissioners  of  the  United  States  living  at  an  ex 
pense  of  3,  ooo  pounds  a  year,  or,  I  fear  a  greater.  Can  see  no 
way  of  retrenching, ' '  though  few  men  in  this  world  are  capable 
of  living  at  a  less  expense  than  I  am."  Suggests  one  man,  a 
plenipotentiary.  He  finds  accounts  in  a  great  state  of  confu 
sion. 

November  27,  1778.  2  pp.,  4to.  A.  L.  S.  He  writes  of  a 
secret  arrangement  between  France  and  Russia  and  France 
and  Prussia:  "We  are  contending  for  as  great  an  object  as 
ever  men  had  in  view,  and  great  difficulties  and  danger 
will  lay  the  foundation  of  a  free  and  flourishing  people, 
broad  and  deep,  great  in  virtues  and  abilities. " 

Braintree,  August,  1779.  i  p.,  4to.  J.  Adams  has  returned 
from  France,  and  mentions  that  he  has  sent  his  papers  to  Mr. 
Lovell,  submitting  them  to  his  discretion  to  lay  them  before 
Congress.  Others  as  follows : 

ADAMS,  JOHN.    A  letter  signed.    Paris,  Feb'y  23,  1780.    Your 
Committee  of  Correspondence  is  making   greater   progress 
in  the  political    world,    and    doing    greater    things 
than  the  electrical  rod  in  the  physical.      Speakers  in  England 
are  openly  applauding  the   Americans,  and    others  even  ap 
plauding  France  and  Spain  for  stepping  to   our   assistance. 
.    .    .  I  assure  you  it  is  more  comfortable  making  constitutions 
in  the  dead  of  winter   at  Cambridge  than  sailing  in  a  leaky 
ship  or  climbing     .      .     .      mountains    of  Gallicia   and    the 
Pyrenees."     2^  pp.,   4to, 


63 

ADAMS,  JOHN.  L.  S.  Paris,  Feb.  28,  1780.  Announcingin- 
tended  meeting  of  French  and  English  in  the  West  Indies: 
"Above  all  let  me  beg  of  you  to  encourage  privateering." 
"  Oh,  that  Spain  could  be  persuaded  that  Gibraltar  is  to  be 
conquered  in  America." 

ADAMS,  JOHN.  A.  L.  S.  March  18,  1780.  2^  pp.  Giving  a 
list  of  French  officers,  rank,  &c.  Particulars  of  troops  and 
ships,  &c.,  destined  for  America.  Of  privateering  he  says: 
'  This  is  our  part  of  the  war.  I  suppose  General  Washing 
ton,  in  the  course  of  things,  will  be  called  to  co-operate, 
and  he  will,  no  doubt,  be  supported. " 

ADAMS,  JOHN.  Amsterdam,  Sept.  20,  1780.  A.  L.  S.  ip.,4to 
is  happy  to  learn  that  "  the  people  of  Massachusetts  have 
accepted  the  constitution.  The  English  are  now  all  drunk ; 
the  run  of  elections  indicate  continuance  of  war  and  the 
most  desperate  obstinancy."  He  still  urges  attacks  on  their 
commerce. 

ADAMS,  JOHN.  Leyden,  March  n,  1781.  "The  nation  with 
whom  I  reside  is  in  a  critical  situation."  i  p.,  4to. 

ADAMS,  JOHN.   The  Hague,  June  15,  1782.   A.  L.  S.   3pp.,4to. 

Speaks  hopefully  of  Dutch  alliance.  '  *  I  have  often  been  to  that 
church  in  Leyden,  where  the  Planters  of  Plymouth  wor 
shipped  so  many  years,  and  felt  a  kind  of  veneration  for  the 
bricks  and  timbers. "  Has  just  received  an  invitation  to  dine 
with  the  Prince  and  Princess  of  Orange.  "  The  Sons  of 
Liberty  have  the  best  right  of  any  people  under  heaven  to 
dine  and  sup  with  this  family.  ...  I  always  think  of 
you  when  I  see  any  of  the  portraits  of  this  family.  The 
portrait  of  William  the  first  looks  like  you.  [S.  ADAMS.]  " 

ADAMS,  J.  A.  L.  S.  2  pp.,  4to.  The  Hague,  Aug.  19,  1782. 
Talks  of  Peace;  is  disgusted  with  Lord  North;  "  Charles 
J'  .Fo.x  j?as  snown  himself  the  greatest  Statesman  in  Great 
Britain  ";  speaks  of  his  health:  "has  been  on  the  threshold 
of  succumbing  under  this  Dutch  Mission";  congratulates 
himself  on  its  happy  termination,  looking  upon  "  it  as  the 
very  critical  pivot  on  which  our  system  turned  in  Europe." 

ADAMS,   J.      2  pp.,     4to.      The  Hague,  Aug.    29,  1782.      "The 
King  of  England  has  sent  Mr.  Fitzherbert  to  Paris  ...    to 
treat  of  peace  with  his  dear  Brother  the  King  of  France  . 
Mr.    Franklin  and  Mr.  Jay  are  to  inform  me  of  what  passes.' 
The  success  will  depend  upon  Events,  the  Fate  of  Gibraltar 


64 


the  East  Indies,  New  York,  &c. ;  Mr.  Laurens  declines  act 
ing  .  .  for  which  I  am  very  sorry  as  well  as  that  Mr.  Jeffer 
son  is  not  arrived  .  .  .  The  English  are  humbled  and  op 
pressed,  but  not  unanimously  so." 

ADAMS,  J.  Paris,  April  5,  1783.  Waiting  for  the  definite 
treaty  of  peace.  "  I  want  to  come  home  for  many  Reasons, 
one  of  which  lies  with  great  weight  upon  my  mind ;  it  is  to 
persuade  you  to  make  a  collection  of  your  [S.  Adams] 
writings  in  which  I  think  the  New  World  deeply  interested 
and  the  old  one  too." 

ADAMS,  J.  A  long  letter.  4pp.,  4to.  May  i,  1784.  Review 
ing  the  treaty  of  Peace ;  does  not  know  whether  the  Histor 
ian  will  do  him  justice  or  not  with  regard  to  "  my  negotia 
tions  with  Holland."  Wishes  that  Jay,  Dana,  Izard  and 
Lee  may  be  faithful  in  a  record  of  their  own  negotiations. 
Important  thoughts  as  to  future  of  America,  &c. 

ADAMS,  J.  A.  L.  (not  signed).  The  Hague,  May  4,  1784. 
A  letter  from  his  heart — pouring  out  the  strong  feel 
ing  of  a  man  worn  with  labour  in  the  Cause,  conscious 
of  success,  becoming  the  object  of  detraction  and  envy. 
"There  is  one  certain  way  of  getting  rid  of  envy  and  that  is 
getting  out  of  envy's  place.  This  is  now  I  thank  God  and 
ever  shall  be  in  my  power,  but  I  will  never  make  use  of  this 
power  from  the  fear  of  envy  .  .  .  for  my  own  gratification 
I  declare  to  you  I  had  rather  be  a  selectman  of  Braintree 
than  embassador  to  any  court  in  the  world." 

ADAMS,  J.  Hague,  May  13,  1784.  i^  pp.,  4to.  Affairs  in 
Europe.  Met  Pownal  in  London. 

ADAMS,  J.  A.  L.  S.  The  Hague,  June  25,  1784.  3  pp.  The 
necessity  of  a  Commercial  Treaty  with  England  ;  urges  that 
Congress  take  necessary  steps ;  thought  to  go  home,  but 
heard  that  a  commission  and  F.  &.  J.  were  to  be  sent  to 
meet  him ;  sent  for  his  wife,  but  neither  the  commission  nor 
the  wife  arrive;  Jay  is  gone  home;  expecting  that  his  wife 
will  arrive,  he  can't  go  home  and  must  stay;  waiting  "  the 
moving  of  the  waters,  which  are  as  slow  and  stagnant  as 
the  Dutch  Canals." 

ADAMS,  J.  Auteuil,  April  14,  1785.  A.  L.  S.  Introductory 
only. 


65 


ADAMS,  J.  Auteuil,  April  14,  1785.  A.  L.  S.  2%  pp.  A 
letter  delivered  by  his  son  (18  years).  "  The  child  whom 
you  used  to  lead  out  into  the  Common  to  see  with  detesta 
tion  the  British  Troops  and  with  pleasure  the  Boston  Mili 
tia  will  deliver  this  letter.  If  you  have  in  Boston  a  vir 
tuous  Clubb,  such  as  we  used  to  delight  and  inspire  our 
selves  in,  they  will  inspire  him  with  such  sentiments  as  a 
young  American  ought  to  entertain." 

ADAMS,  J.  A  note  signed  (1785).  "  Massachusetts  ought  to 
persevere  in  her  Navigation  Act." 

ADAMS,  J.  A.  L.  S.  4  pp.  Grosvenor  Square,  Jan.  26,  1786. 
On  Commercial  Acts. 

ADAMS,  J.  Grosvenor  Square,  June  2,  1786.  A.  L.  S.  Re 
ferring  to  troubles  of  commercial  matter;  danger  of  another 
war;  position  of  the  U.  S.  and  course  advised. 

ADAMS,  J.  N.  Y.,  Sept.  12,  1790.  Expresses  delight  at  the 
sight  of  the  Old  Liberty  Hall  in  Philada.  ;  asks  if  "Voltaire 
and  Rousseau  are  our  Masters  in  the  Principles  of  political 
architecture."  "  Every  thing  will  be  pulled  down  what  will 
be  built  up."  "Will  the  struggle  in  Europe  be  anything 
more  than  a  change  of  imposters  and  impositions." 

ADAMS,  J.  A.  L.  S.  N.  Y.,  Oct.  18,  1790.  In  a  letter  of  6 
closely  written  pages,  4to,  to  Samuel  Adams,  he  advances 
at  length  his  opinion  on  the  principles  of  governing  society ; 
feels  that  family  pride  is  an  element  not  to  be  stamped  out; 
there  may  be  vulgar  malignity  and  popular  envy. 

ADAMS,  J.  Philada.,  May  n,  1797.  A.  L.  S.  (Damaged.) 
Expressing  indifference  to  party  papers. 

ADAMS,  JOHN  QUINCY.  A.  L.  S.  Minden,  May,  1779. 
Thanking  Arther  Lee  for  a  French  book  on  Jurisprudence. 

ADAMS,  JOHN  QUINCY.  A.  L.  S.  Washington,  Oct.,  1834. 
4  pp.,  4to.  Regarding  the  Anti-Masonic  agitation  in  Mass.  ; 
expressing  his  own  views  in  regard  to  the  Masonic  oath,  &c. 

ADAMS,  JOHN  QUINCY.  A.  L.  S.  TO  BANCROFT. 
4  pp. ,  4to,  closely  written,  on  the  Definition  of  Democracy : 
"  I  heard  Mr.  Calhoun  once  give  as  a  toast  Universal 
Education,  and  I  had  it  on  my  lips  to  ask  him  to  add 
skin  deep  (referring  to  colored  men).  He  refers  to  his 
own  political  acts  and  motives:  "  In  considering  the  causes 


of  the  hostility  which  has  pursued  me  through  my  political 
life,  you  will  find  much  of  it  hereditary  hatred  of  a  tory 
progeny  against  my  Father";  speaks  of  the  "mass  of 
obloquy  under  which  I  am  staggering  through  the  last 
stage  of  life." 

ADAMS,    JOHN    QUINCY.       A.    L.    S.     TO    BANCROFT. 

4  pages,  4to.  31  Mch.,  1838.  A  piece  of  very  great  interest. 
It  is  written  evidently  in  answer  to  a  letter  of  Bancroft 
desiring  a  sketch  of  his  life;  he  gives  it  with  added  opinions 
of  politics  and  men;  his  attitude  to  Democracy;  his  opinions 
as  to  affairs  of  the  day,  etc. 


ORIGINAL   LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS. 

NOT  BOUND. 

EXPEDITION  TO  NEWPORT  IN  1778.  An  account  of  the 
details  of  the  movements  of  troops,  &c.  ;  cause  of  the 
failure  of  the  American  forces.  A  most  interesting  series  of 
four  folio  letters,  written  from  camp  by  the  hand  of  John 
Hancock,  and  with  his  signature ;  fine,  clean,  and  in  the 
best  state  of  preservation  ;  as  follow — all  to  Jeremiah  Powell 
[addressed  and  franked] : 

JOHN  HANCOCK.  A.  L.  S.  Aug.  21,  1775,  Camp  in  Rhode 
Island,  Friday  morning,  5  o'clock,  i  p.,  folio.  To  J. 
Powell.  "  The  enemy  continued  a  severe  cannonade  .... 
yesterday,  by  noon,  the  French  fleet  appeared  off  and  .  .  . 
we  learn  that  in  the  late  storm  the  Admiral's  ship,  and  a  74, 
had  lost  some  of  their  masts,"  &c.  He  closes  his  letter 
with  the  sanguine  hope  of  reducing  "this  Island  in  a  few 
days." 

JOHN  HANCOCK.  A.  L.  S.  Aug.  22,  1778,  from  camp,  Sat 
urday  morning,  4  o'clock.  Writes  that  the  French  fleet  is 
going  to  Boston,  and  will  not  co-operate;  saw  success 
ahead,  but  is  filled  with  mortification  and  chagrin ;  eulo 
gizes  Gen.  Sullivan ;  he  writes  in  full  confidence  that  what 
he  says  will  by  no  means  be  suffered  to  go  into  the  news 
papers;  does  not  want  to  offend  France,"  &c.  2  pp.,  folio. 

JOHN  HANCOCK.  Camp,  Rhode  Island,  Aug.  23,  1778, 
Sunday  morning,  7  o'clock.  Announces  that  the  fleet  did 


67 


depart:  "  it  ought  to  excite  the  resentment  of  every  good 
man."  He  still  hopes  however,  but  the  next  letter  shows 
that  the  lack  of  co-operation  settled  the  affair  adversely. 

JOHN  HANCOCK.  Camp  in  Rhode  Island,  Aug.  25,  1778. 
i  p.,  folio.  ''It  is  absolutely  necessary  ...  to  retreat." 
A  very  pretty  series  for  the  autograph  collector  or  the  his 
torian  alike. 

QUINCY,  JOSIAH,  JR.  A.  L.  S.  4  pp.,  4to.  Boston,  Aug., 
1774.  Advises  Adams  of  his  intention  of  going  to  London 
secretly. 

JEFFERSON,  THOS.  A.  L.  S.  i  p.,  4to.  Philadelphia, 
Feb.  26,  1801.  To  S.  Adams.  "  After  three  and  twenty 
years  of  separation  .  .  .  your  principles  have  been  tested 
in  the  crucible  of  time  and  have  come  out  pure."  Refers 
to  elections  by  the  people  for  short  periods.  He  reads  the 
transfer  of  the  republic  under  Buonaparte  from  the  civil  to 
the  Military  Supremacy  as  a  lesson  against  the  danger  of 
standing  armies. 

JEFFERSON.  Washington,  March  29,  1801.  Expresses  a 
feeling  of  indignation  for  the  late  treatment  of  his  old  friend. 
"  I  hope  we  shall  once  more  see  harmony  restored  among 
our  citizens  and  an  entire  oblivion  of  past  feuds  ...  I  will 
sacrifice  everything  but  principle  to  secure  it."  He  will  not 
protect  those  in  office  under  his  predecessor  whose  miscon 
duct  ought  to  have  produced  their  removal.  "  It  would 
have  been  a  day  of  Glory  which  should  have  called  you 
[S.  Adams]  to  the  first  office  of  the  administration."  Of 
this  letter  a  copy  is  elsewhere  noticed  in  the  bound  collec 
tion.  It  is  altogether  a  splendid  specimen. 

HAMILTON,  ALEX.  A.  L.  S.  4  pp.,  very  large  folio  (prob 
ably  to  Knox).  The  first  part  of  this  letter  is  lacking,  but 
it  is,  nevertheless,  very  interesting.  He  has  commenced 
with  reflections  on  the  loss  of  Ticonderoga  and  goes  on  to 
state  the  desirable  plan  of  campaign  to  meet  Burgoyne ; 
surmises  course  of  General  Howe;  refers  to  Fall  of  Phila 
delphia;  wonders  if  Howe  is  fool  enough  to  meditate  a 
Southern  campaign. 

LAFAYETTE.  A.  L.  S.  Bordeaux,  March  3,  1783.  Referring 
to  peace ;  had  hopes  to  enfranchise  another  State  (Canada) 
but  better  to  insure  a  safe  peace  than  to  wait  for  uncertain 
ties. 


68 


ADAMS,  S.  Extract  (contemporary)  of  a  letter  of  S.  Adams  to 
his  wife,  expressing  sentiments  of  the  purest  patriotism. 
"  No  man  has  a  claim  on  his  country  upon  the  score  of  his 
having  rendered  publick  service.  It  is  the  duty  of  every 
man  to  use  his  utmost  exertion  in  promoting  the  cause  of 
liberty  as  a  virtue  ....  You  are  witness  that  I  have  not 
raised  my  fortune  in  the  service  of  my  country.  I  glory  in 
being  what  the  world  calls  a  poor  man.  If  my  mind  has 
ever  been  tinctured  with  envy,  the  rich  and  the  great  have 
not  been  its  object,"  &c. 

HAMILTON,  ALEXANDER,  TO  JOHN  JAY.  New  York, 
Nov.  26,  1775.  A  long  letter.  3  pp.,  folio.  In  fine  con 
dition.  Respecting  the  late  raid  of  Capt.  Sears  on  the 
printing  office  of  the  Tory  Rivington.  Reprobates  the  act 
on  many  grounds,  "  although  sensible  how  dangerous  and 
pernicious  Rivington's  press  is.  It  brings  into  being  sec 
tional  feeling,  excites  a  false  view  of  the  sentiments  of  New 
York  people,"  &c. 

STEUBEN,  BARON.  Yorktown,  Feb.  10.  1778.  Letter  to  S. 
Adams  announcing  that  he  will  set  off  to  Gen'l  Washing 
ton's  headquarters.  Longs  to  serve  the  Nation.  2  pp., 
4to. 

STEUBEN,  BARON,  TO  S.  ADAMS.  L.  S.  From  Valley 
Forge,  29  May,  1778.  As  to  his  movements,  and  expects 
to  visit  Adams  in  Philadelphia. 

LAFAYETTE,  MARQUIS.  A.  L.  S.  2  pp.,  4to.  In  English. 
New  York,  Dec.  19,  1784.  To  S.  Adams.  Expresses  his 
love  for  Adams;  will  ever  remember  Boston  and  its  people; 
regrets  that  he  cannot  see  Adams  before  his  departure. 

LAFAYETTE.  A  6-page  folio  letter.  Morristown,  May  30, 
1780.  A  fine  letter  stating  what  France  will  do,  what  Con 
gress  should  do,  and  urging  Adams  to  use  his  whole 
influence  to  forward  supplies  of  men  and  clothing.  "  We 
should  exert  ourselves  to  put  the  officers  of  the  army  in  a 
more  decent  situation"  (clothing). 

LAFAYETTE.  Jones'  Tavern  in  the  Jerseys,  Aug.  7  [1784]- 
"  I  am  beginning  my  tour  by  a  visit  to  General  Washington 
in  Virginia,  after  which  I  will  hasten  to  Boston." 

LAFAYETTE.  A.  L.  S.  Without  date  or  place.  Friendly 
and  affectionate  (to  Adams). 

THE  LORDS  OF  TRADE.  To  the  Governor  and  Company  of 
Connecticut,  2  pp.,  folio  letter,  signed  by  HALIFAX,  GREN- 


69 


VILLE  and  TOWNSHEND,  in  relation  to  the  boundaries  of 
Connecticut,  particularly  on  the  French  borders.  White 
hall,  July  19,  1750. 

DICKINSON,  JOHN.      Fairhill,    near    Philadelphia,  April   16, 
1773.      Pleased  at  the  course  in    Boston;  is  diffident  as  to 
publication  of  his  own  sentiments ;  doubting  his  abilities  and 
learning. 

DICKINSON,  J.  May  [1774].  Implores  moderation,  avoid 
ance  of  bloodshed,  &c. 

MORRIS,  ROBERT.  Letter  signed,  to  the  Gov.  of  Massachu 
setts,  advising  that  unless  "your  State  will  give  some  aid 
to  the  commissioner  for  settling  accounts,  it  will  be  next  to 
impossible  for  him  to  perform  the  duties  of  his  office. "  May 
20,  1783.  i  p.,  4to. 

ADAMS,  S.,  to  Arthur  Lee,  acknowledging  "  that  he  is  honored 
with  Lee's  confidential  letters,  but  that  to  have  answered 
them  severally  would  have  led  into  subjects  of  great  deli 
cacy.  .  .  .  Miscarriages  might  have  proved  detrimental 
to  an  important  affair."  Oct.,  '78.  2  pp. 

SOUTH  CAROLINA  AND  CHRISTOPHER  GADSDEN. 

GADSDEN,  CHRISTOPHER.  A.  L.  S.  2  pp.,  4to.  States 
that  "  ii  out  of  the  29  who  signed  that  spirited  petition  [in 
London],  while  the  horrid  bill  against  Boston  was  machi 
nating,  are  natives  of  this  colony."  "  At  home  or  abroad, 
in  good  report  or  ill  report,  it  give  us  the  highest  gratifica 
tion  to  see  that  Carolina  hearts  beat  unison  to  the  common 
cause."  May  28,  1774. 

GADSDEN,  CHRISTOPHER.  Chas. -Town,  230!  May,  1774.  3^ 
p.,  4to.  A.  L.  S.  An  account  of  acts,  sentiments  and  pro 
jects  in  relation  to  the  importation  of  tea. 

GADSDEN,  CHRISTOPHER.  A.  L.  S.  8  pages,  folio.  Chas.- 
Town,  4th  April,  1779.  A  long,  earnest  appeal  for  assis 
tance  from  Congress,  with  reasons  and  advantages.  "Our 
State  ....  was  the  first,  tho'  at  the  extreme  end  and  one 
of  the  weakest,  as  well  externally  as  internally,  to  listen  to 
the  call  of  our  Northern  Brethern  in  their  distress.  No 
sooner  their  circular  letter  arrived  here,  but  Carolina 
immediately  roused  in  unison  with  her  of  Massachusetts." 

GADSDEN,  CHRISTOPHER.  Chas.-Town,  6th  July,  1779. 
2^- p.,  folio,  "  In  the  overflowing  of  an  anxious  heart  .  .  . 


70 


I  let  my  pen  run  away  with  me  the  4th  of  April  (letter 
above).  .  .  .  As  to  Charlestown,  we  have  had  a  very  nar- 
now  escape  indeed."  Urges  that  Congress  send  a  few 
frigates,  as  captures  may  be  easily  made  off  the  coast." 

ADAMS,  S.,  AND  BENJ.  CHURCH,  JR.  Letter  written  by 
Church,  i  p.,  folio.  An  interesting  relic.  Written  from 
Concord  less  than  a  month  before  the  Battle  of  Lexington. 
A  resolution  of  a  committee  urging  vigilance  and  activity. 
To  Jos.  Warren,  carried  by  the  hand  of  Paul  Revere  "from 
the  Congress  at  Concord."  Endorsed  by  the  Town  Clerk. 

ADAMS,  S.  Draft  of  instructions  of  the  General  Council,  ad 
vising  settlement  of  nation  differences  otherwise  than  by 
war.  i  p.,  folio.  No  date. 

ADAMS,    S.      Draft   of  a  letter  to  a  friend.      No  date  or  place. 
"  I  had  the  unspeakable  pleasure,"  &c.     A  reminiscent  and 
friendly  letter.      (Not  signed.) 

ADAMS,  S.  Philada.,  Oct.  26,  '78.  Allusions  to  enemies  un 
der  initials.  (Not  signed.)  Mentions  that  his  supposed 
enmity  to  G.  Wn.  was  objected  against  him  on  a  late  occa 
sion;  does  not  wonder  that  those  who  believed  it  were  dis 
pleased  with  him.  i  p.,  folio.  Unsigned. 

THE    BATTLE  OF  GUILFORD  COURT  HOUSE. 

CAMPBELL,  WM.  A.  L.  S.  4  pp.,  folio.  Aspen  Ville,  28th 
March,  1781.  The  particulars  of  the  action,  movements, 
casualities,  defeat  of  the  Americans,  accompanied  by  a  cer 
tified  statement  in  autograph  of  H.  Williams,  of  the  killed, 
wounded  and  missing  at  Battle,  i5th  Mch.,  1781.  A  lengthy 
account  by  a  participant.  Of  great  interest  and  value. 
Tarleton  was  wounded  in  the  hand.  Represents  it  as  a 
costly  advantage  to  the  enemy. 

SEARS,  ISAAC,  AND  McDOUGALL,  ALEX.  Letter  Signed. 
4  pp.,  4to.  July  25,  1774. 

GORDON,  WM.  A.  L.  S.  Aug.  22,  1774.  To  Adams  at 
first  Congress. 

HAWLEY,  JOS.  Dec.  16,  1774.  Takes  Mr.  Lee  of  Cam 
bridge,  spending  the  winter  at  Philadelphia,  "as  subtil  a 
tool  as  any  of  the  friends  of  Government."  Makes  crafty 
suggestion  to  Adams  as  to  exciting  jealousies  between 
Lord  Percy  and  Gen'l  Gage. 


71 


WYTHE,  GEO.  Signed  G.  W.  A.  L.  S.  4to.  Williams- 
burg,  Aug.,  1778.  Humorous. 

THOMSON,  CHAS.,  afterwards  Secretary  of  Congress.  A 
secret,  confidential  letter.  Philada.,  Dec.  19,  1773.  6  pp., 
folio.  It  is  a  thorough  discussion  of  relations  between  the 
Colonies  and  Great  Britain.  Many  of  his  .own  thoughts: 
wisely  suggests  that  the  eddy  of  war  may  draw  the  powers 
of  Europe  in ;  that  a  better  time  to  push  matters  may  come 
soon;  recommends  keeping  up  a  martial  spirit  in  the  people 
by  putting  arms  into  their  hands,  &c.  "Thus  have  I 
thrown  together  some  random  thoughts  on  the  plan  of 
American  opposition." 

S.  ADAMS.  A.  L.  S.  (in  initials)  to  Gen.  Gates.  Phil.,  June 
10,  1776.  Speaks  of  the  "necessities  of  your  taking  com 
mand  in  the  Eastern  district  immediately." 

GARDNER,  THOS.  Aug.  12,'  74.  "  The  time  has  come  when 
every  one  that  has  a  tongue  or  an  arm  is  called  upon  by 
their  country  to  stand  forth  in  its  behalf." 

RESOLVES  of  the  Town  of  Cambridge.  3  pp.,  folio.  Signed 
by  the  Committee,  May,  1773. 

PARSONS,  SAM.  H.,  of  Providence.  Mch.  3,  1773.  I^i  PP-, 
folio. 

TWO  PIECES  by  S.  Adams.  Suspension  of  Trade;  Case  of 
Dashwood. 

LIVINGSTON,  JAS.  A.  L.  S.  4  pp.,  folio.  Saratoga,  June, 
1819.  Account  of  the  Expedition  of  Montgomery  to  Que 
bec,  1775  (by  a  participant).  Sketches,  events,  etc.,  to 
death  of  Montgomery  at  Quebec. 

DRAFT  of  a  letter  to  ye  Hon.  the  Minister  for  negotiating 
peace,  March  25,  1783.  Contemporary  copy.  To  Adams, 
Franklyn,  John  Jay,  Henry  Lawrence  (sic),  in  regard  to 
a  Secret  Clause. 

RESOLVES  of  Congress  on  the  subject  of  the  payment  of  the 
public  debts,  in  MS.,  Sept.  27,  1785.  7  pp.,  folio.  For 
current  year  apportionment  of  $3,000,000  among  the  13 
States  (Perm.,  $410,378);  Mass.,  $448,854;  New  York, 
$256,486;  Virginia,  $512,974.  Neatly  engrossed.  (From 
the  Bingham  papers. ) 

FITZ  SIMONS.  Observations  on  funding  debt  due  citizens  of 
Pennsylvania.  7  pp.,  folio.  (Bingham  papers.) 


PROPOSED  RESOLUTION  of  Congress.  Writing  of  W. 
Bingham.  As  to  fixing  place  of  Congress  (Philada.).  6pp., 
4to. 

REASONS  OF  DISSENT  of  the  Minority  against  Resolutions 
concerning  the  Interpretation  of  the  States  on  the  subiect 
of  the  Federal  excise.  (From  papers  of  Wm.  Bingham.) 
Contemporary  copy.  i4pp.,4to. 

SWAN,  JAMES.  Respecting  the  establishment  of  a  mint,  pro 
posal  addressed  to  Lt. -Gov.  Adams.  3  pp.,  folio. 

BOWDOIN,  GOV.  JAMES.  Attested  copy  of  Grant  of  Land  to 
Arthur  Lee,  with  Survey  (6,000  acres  east  of  Saco  River). 
2  pp.,  folio.  1780. 

McNEIL,  HECTOR.  Reporting  publication  of  Coast  Surveys. 
1785.  A.  L.  S.  2  pp.,  4to. 

MISCELLANEOUS  LOT.  3  of  Gerry  (has  a  jealous  eye  on 
Franklin) ;  Danger  of  the  Cincinnati,  S.  Adams ;  On  the 
Cincinnati  (10  of  Adams),  many  long  and  on  important  pub 
lic  affairs;  Letters  of  R.  H.  Lee,  1785,  referring  to  insolence 
of  Captain  Stanhope;  A  Ship  from  Canton,  in  China,  after  a 
successful  voyage  of  14  months  from  this  port  is  a  proof  of 
American  enterprise  ;  .  .  .  4  long  letters  (i  of  9  pages, 
L.  S.);  A.  L.  S.  of  S.  Holten  of  N.  J.,  of  1785;  Lands  and 
Finances,  Gov.  Caswell,  of  Georgia,  A.  L.  S.,  Dec.,  1785; 
Queries  to  Timothy  Folger,  of  Nantucket,  3  pp.,  4to,  Anon 
ymous;  Samuel  Shaw,  A.  L.  S.,  Letter  (contemporary  copy) 
of  John  Adams  to  John  Jay  (Review  of  European  Mission) ; 
Doc.  of  Geo.  Clinton,  1790,  Signatures  of  Madison ;  A.  L. 
S.  of  W.  Livingston;  of  Moultrie,  W.  27  pieces  in  brown 
cover. 

THOMSON,  CHAS.  [afterwards  Secretary  of  Congress].  A  fine 
letter.  A.L.S.  3  pages,  folio.  In  effect  an  expression  of 
the  sentiments  of  a  man  desiring  to  be  loyal,  but  sensible 
of  the  oppressions  of  Great  Britain,  and  giving  a  succinct 
account  of  the  acts  and  measures  which  aroused  the  indig 
nation  of  Americans.  He  hears  from  several  of  the  colonies 
and  believes  they  will  be  counted  in  one  indissoluble  bond. 
Written  to  S.  Adams  (Philadelphia,  June  3d,  1774).  A  fine 
specimen. 

BOWDOIN,  JAMES.  A.L.S.  Sept.  21,  1778.  4  pp.,  4to.  To 
S.  Adams,  respecting  Mr.  Temple,  and  as  to  the  wisdom  of 
Congress  allowing  him  to  visit  Philadelphia.  Speaks  of 
failure  of  the  Rhode  Island  Expedition. 


73 


GATES,  GEN.  HORATIO.  A.  L.  S.  Robinson  House,  May 
27,  1778.  A  letter  of  particular  interest  in  the  connecting  of 
Conway  and  Gates.  It  is  claimed  by  Conway  it  is  in  further 
ance  of  Conway's  claim  on  the  country.  "Congress  and  the 
General  (G.  W.)  are  sufficiently  informed  of  the  shameful 
want  of  men  and  materials  at  this  post.  ...  I  want  six 
thousand  men,  horses,  carriages,  money,"  etc.,  etc.,  2  pp., 
4to. 

LEE,  R.  H.  June  23,  1774,  Chantilly.  An  account  of  proceed 
ings  in  Virginia  on  receiving  the  news  of  the  Boston  Port 
Bill.  A  long  letter.  A.  L.  S.  4pp.,  4to. 

HUTCHINSON,  T.,  Gov.  Mass.  A.D.S.  A  message  to  a  Com 
mittee  of  the  House  of  Representatives  of  Mass,  refusing  to 
communicate  instructions  of  the  Crown.  March  21,  1770. 

PITTS,  J.  (Signature  blotted.)  A  long  A.L.S.  Watertown, 
July,  20,  1775.  A  particular  account  of  a  late  election  to 
the  General  Court,  giving  an  account  of  the  intrigues,  jeal 
ousies,  etc.  Speaking  of  the  late  battle  at  Charlestown, 
4 'there  never  was  more  confusion  and  less  command,  no 
body  seemed  to  have  any  but  Col.  Prescott  whose  bravery 
can  never  be  enough  acknowledged.  Gen.  Putnam  was  em 
ployed  in  collecting  the  men,  but  there  were  not  officers  to 
lead  them  on." 

BURGOYNE,  SIR  JOHN,  and  BARON  RIEDESEL.  A  collec 
tion  of  original  letters,  1776-1777,  being  instructions  with  re 
gard  to  military  movements  in  the  campaign  on  the  way  down 
from  Canada  to  Fort  Edward  and  Ticonderoga,  mostly  in 
French.  Account  of  Madame  Riedesel's  Embarkation.  Also, 
a  number  of  letters  from  B.  Looz  to  Riedesel,  from  Mon 
treal,  etc.,  1781-83.  A  number  of  original  pieces  relating 
to  Riedesel's  German  troops  in  Canada.  General  orders, 
lists  of  Brunswick  troops,  names  of  officers  killed  and 
wounded, a  complete  return  of  the  killed,  wounded  and  prison 
ers  of  the  British  Army  under  Burgoyne  in  campaign  of  1777. 
(10  pieces  of  official  military  reports.)  List  of  Convention 
Troops.  Of  this  lot  there  are  31  Burgoyne  (all  A.L.S.  but 
two),  Looz  45,  Reports  10. 

R.  H.  LEE.  3  pp.,  4to.  Nov.  18,  1784.  A.L.S.  Referring  to 
Arnold  and  Deane  in  connection  with  British  ministers. 

CATHERINE  MACAULAY  GRAHAM.  A.L.S.  6  pp.,  4to. 
1791.  Relating  to  French  Revolution  and  Ed.  Burke. 


COPLEY,  J.  S.  A.L. S.  2  pp.  1795.  Sending  his  son  on  a 
visit  to  America. 

PAINE,  THOMAS.  Paris,  March  6,  1795.  An  intensely  inter 
esting  letter  of  two  pages,  4to.  Relates  his  connection  with 
and  danger  in  the  French  Revolution;  names  Robespierre; 
refers  indignantly  to  expressions  in  Jay's  Treaty.  Speaks  of 
the  neglect  of  the  U.  S.  Government. 

PAINE,  T.  January,  1803.  A.L.S.  7  pp.,  4 to.  To  S.  Adams.  A 
letter  of  immense  interest.  "  I  am  obliged  to  you  for  your 
affectionate  remembrance  of  what  you  stile  my  services  in 
awakening  the  public  mind  to  a  Declaration  of  Independence,  and 
supporting  it  after  it  was  declared.  I  also,  like  you,  have  often 
looked  back  on  those  times  and  have  thought  that  if  Independence 
had  not  been  declared  at  the  time  it  was  the  public  mind  could  not 
have  been  broughtup  to  it  afterwards."  He  explains  thoroughly 
the  principles  of  his  creed.  "In  your  letter  you  say  let  divines 
and  philosophers,  statesmen  and  patriots  unite  their  en 
deavors  to  renovate  the  age  by  inoculating  in  the  minds  of 
youth,  the  fear  and  love  of  the  Deity  and  universal  phil 
anthropy.  Why  my  dear  friend,  this  is  exactly  my  religion 
and  is  the  whole  of  it."  He  speaks  of  his  publication  of  the 
"  Age  of  Reason  "  and  says  that  it  was  finished  earlier  than 
he  intended  as  amid  the  dangers  of  the  French  Revolution, 
"  my  friends  were  falling  as  fast  as  the  guillotine  could  cut 
their  heads  off,  and  as  I  every  day  expected  the  same  fate 
I  resolved  to  begin  my  work.  I  appeared  myself  to  be  on 
my  death-bed,  for  death  was  on  every  side  of  me.  The 
man  who  is  a  friend  to  man  and  to  his  rights,  let  his 
religious  opinions  be  what  they  may,  is  a  good  citizen,  to 
whom  I  can  give  as  I  ought  to  and  as  every  other  ought,  the 
the  right  hand  of  fellowship. "  Believes  in  the  deity  as  the 
first  part  of  his  creed. 

EBELING,  PROF.  A.L.S.  Nov.,  1793.  4  pp. ,  4to.  Respecting 
"  Description  of  America"  in  German. 

TEMPLE,  J.  Dec.,  1778.  Asks  of  S.  Adams  a  loan  of  the 
Treaty  with  France  lately  published.  Endorsed  with  S. 
Adams'  answer  in  denial.  2  pp.,  4to. 

PARSONS,  THEOPH.     A.L.S.     June  9th,  1783. 

BURGOYNE,  GEN.  Letter  to  S.  Adams,  asking  privilege  of 
visiting  him  for  half  an  hour  in  Boston,  with  safe  conduct  to 
come  and  go.  February  4,  1778. 


75 


GOLDEN,  CADWALLADER.  A.L.S.  Regarding  Parliament 
of  Ireland  dependent  on  Parliament  of  Great  Britain.  Nov. 
16,  1764. 

GADSDEN,  CHR.  Charleston,  Aug.  18,  1784.  We  are  setting 
matters  to  rights  very  fast.  Speaks  of  riots  against  acts  of 
"our  Assembly,"  hoping  'tis  all  over. 

GREENE,  NATH.  3  pp.,  folio.  A.L.S.  Middlebrook,  May  28> 
1777.  Referring  to  the  comparison  of  Fabius  and  Washing 
ton;  position  of  Congress  in  relation  to  the  Army.  Movements 
of  General  Howe. 

AN  IMPORTANT  DOCUMENT  relative  to  Sam'l  Adams'  trans 
actions  as  tax-collector.  A  Petition  of  2^  pages,  folio, 
written  and  signed  by  him,  giving  the  whole  position  and 
praying  relief.  (March,  1769.) 

CATHARINE  MACAULAY.  1773.  Letter  to  the  Committee  of 
Correspondence. 

WILKES,  JOHN.  A.L.S.  April  2,  1771.  "All  the  active  pow 
ers  of  my  soul  shall  be  directed  to  liberty."  He  will  serve 
America  with  his  utmost  efforts. 

MACDOUGAL,  ALEX.     June  25,  1774.     A.L.S. 

LEE,  CHARLES.  3pp.,4to.  A.L.S.  Newport,  July  2 ist,  1774. 
Introducing  himself  to  Sam.  Adams.  Commenting  on 
affairs,  etc.,  Liberty.  "Conspiracy  of  sceptred  monsters," 
"  South  Carolina  resolves  a  cordial  for  those  who  grow  faint 
among  you." 


ORIGINAL    PAPERS,    &c. 

MOSTLY  BOUND  VOLUMES. 

ANSPACH  PAPERS. — Correspondence  and  other  papers  relat 
ing  to  the  Troops  furnished  by  the  Land-Grave  of  Anspach 
Brandenburg  to  the  King  of  Great  Britain  in  the  War  of 
the  Revolution,  from  1776  to  1784,  being  the  papers  of  the 
Secretary  of  the  Margrave  of  Anspach  as  preserved  by 
himself.  Particulars  as  to  the  affairs  of  the  German  mer 
cenaries.  A  very  extensive  collection,  containing  not  only 
records  of  transactions  in  Germany,  but  Reports  of  Occur 
rences  in  America.  Journals  of  Clinton's  Campaign,  &c. 
Together  some  thousands  of  pages,  chronologically  arranged 
in  four  thick  folio  volumes. 


76 


HAWLEY,  MAJOR  JOSEPH,  of  Northampton.— A  COLLEC 
TION  OF  ORIGINAL  LETTERS  AND  PAPERS.  Among  the 
items  may  be  mentioned:  Letter  from  Lake  George, 
X755>  giving  particular  matters  of  the  campaign.  The 
resolution  of  Congress,  May  15,  1776,  to  adopt  Govern 
ment  of  their  own  in  certain  conditions;  printed  by  Dun- 
lap,  1776.  Letter  of  Joseph  Warren.  Reports  of  Commit 
tees  of  Correspondence  of  the  towns  of  Conway,  Whately, 
Bernard's  Town.  Letter  to  Gage.  Resolve  of  Congress, 
June  9th,  1775.  A  letter  from  Thomas  Gushing,  Philadel 
phia,  June  zoth,  1775.  "Where  the  Administration  has  ad 
vice  of  ye  battle  at  Lexinton  (sic)  and  find  that  our  people 
are  determined  to  fight  .  .  .  they  will  be  for  accommo 
dating  matters  .  .  .  The  Congress.  .  .  .  will  carry 
the  sword  in  one  hand  and  the  petition  in  the  other."  Very 
interesting  letter  of  Elbridge  Gerry,  in  which  he  urges  that 
the  Tories  must  be  exported.  "  Bonds  will  not  answer  our 
purpose.  Prisons  we  have  not  a  sufficiency,  and  they  are 
not  worth  hanging."  He  encloses  and  refers  to  a  printed 
letter  of  Gen.  Washington  (a  broadside,  which  is  here),  giv 
ing  an  account  of  the  battle  of  Trenton,  dated  Baltimore, 
December  3ist,  1776.  A  very  long  letter  of  President  Ed 
wards,  begging  a  regular  salary.  A  journal  of  the  Crown 
Point  Expedition  from  June  26,  to  September  7,  1755,  13  pp. 
Autograph  letter  of  Gen.  Gates,  conveying  orders  to  Gen. 
Washington.  This  collection  is  bound  in  two  vols.,  folio, 
bds.,  and  old  half  calf. 

RIEDESEL,  GENERAL.— The  Original  Contemporary  Papery 
Letters,  Journals  and  Drafts  of  letters  to  the  Duke  of  Bruns 
wick,  and  other  papers  and  reports  of  German  officers  in  the 
English  Service,  from  early  in  1776  to  September,  1783.  In 
cludes  Memoir  of  Gen.  Burgoyne;  account  of  Phillips'  Ex 
pedition,  Idee  d'un  Expedition  to  Canada,  October,  1781; 
General  Orders  of  Riedesel,  &c.,  &c.  About  400  pp.  folio, 
blue  cloth. 

BRUNSWICK  PAPERS.— Account  of  the  Troops  of  Bruns 
wick,  from  the  time  of  their  embarkation  for  America  in 
1776,  occupying  985  pp.,  folio,  written  on  both  sides;  illus 
trated  with  some  carefully  executed  plans  of  battles,  &c.  ; 
table  of  contents  in  English.  2  vols.  folio,  faded  cloth 
backs. 

CHALMERS,  GEORGE.— Collection  of  his  papers.  Notes  and 
excerpts  employed  in  writing  the  Revolt  of  the  Colonies, 


77 


&c.,  comprised  in  the  following  volumes:  Papers  relating  to 
Carolina,  1662  to  1691,  2  vols.  Papers  relating  to  Georgia, 
1730  to  1798;  folio;  largely  relating  to  trade  and  commerce! 
The  Georgia  and  Florida  boundary.  The  Mississippi  So 
ciety.  Papers  relating  to  Rhode  Island,  1637  to  1781. 
Proclamation  of  Governor  J.  Wanton,  of  Rhode  Island.  A 
fast  on  account  of  the  Boston  Port  Bill,  June  2oth,  1774. 
History  of  the  Revolt  of  the  Colonies.  Lettered  "  Volume 
2."  Folio,  old  calf,  pages  461  to  812.  Complete  as  to  the 
period  of  George  II.  The  Chalmers  Papers  together,  5  vol 
umes,  uniformly  bound  in  calf,  folio. 

EWALD,  Feldzug  der  Hessen  nach  Amerika.  4to,  half  brown 
morocco,  about  50  pp. 

GESCHICHTE,    der    Kurbussischen  Jager  im  Amerikanischen 
Kriege,  1776  to   1784.     410.      Half  brown  morocco    06  DD 
both  sides  filled. 

HESSEN  IN  AMERICA.— Diary  of  a  Hessian  officer,  Wieder 
hold.  With  full  accounts  of  the  capture  of  the  Hessians  at 
Trenton.  Particulars  of  the  capture  of  Fort  Washington,  &c. 
Letters  from  Henkelman  and  part  of  a  Diary,  relating 
events  at  Princeton.  Half  brown  morocco  gilt 'top  nc 
pp.  Marked  by  Bancroft. 

A  COLLECTION  OF  OLD  GERMAN  MSS.—  Relating  to  the 
Services  of  the  Hessians,  &c.,  in' 14  volumes,  small  4to,  bds., 
including  Tagebuch  von  Malzburg,  2  vols.,  968  pp.',  both 
sides  written,  from  February,  1776.— Geschichte  des  Fusil 
ier  Regiments  von  Lossburg  in  form  Eines  Tagebuche.  In 
cludes  accounts  of  the  landing  of  the  English  in  Long 
Island;  battles  there;  storming  of  Fort  Washington,  177 
pp. — Journal  des  Lieutenant  von  Melsungen,  from  landing 
of  the  Hessians  in  New  York,  1776,  to  December,  1777,  57 
pp.,  4to,  unbound. — Journal  of  Frederick  Julius  von  Pabet, 
Jr.,  Campaign  in  America  and  Canada,  1776  to  1783;  about 
400  pp.— Journal  of  Lieutenant  Wiederfeld,  October,  1776, 
to  December,  1780,  133  pp.  -Journal  of  the  Third  Waldeck 

Regiment,    May,    1776,    to   November,    1780,  300  pp. The 

Regiments  of  Waldeck,  no  pp.,  1776  to  1783.  Various 
Incidents  in  the  American  War,  including  the  Battle 
of  Trenton  (pp.  i  to  59),  100  pp. — Lotheissen  Journal 
of  the  Infantry  Regiment  of  the  Crown  Prince,  from 
February,  1776,  to  May,  1784,  about  150  pp.— Tagebuch 
von  Reuber,  1776  to  1783.  Hessian  Grenadier  Regi- 


78 


ment,  213  pp. — Geschichte  des  Fusilier  Regiments  von 
Lossburg,  by  Lieutenant  Piel,  1776  to  1783,  92  pp. — Hes- 
sischen  Jager  im  Amerikanische  Kriege,  1776  to  1784,  150 
pp. — Journal  des  Lieutenant  Russer,  March,  1776,  to  1777, 
176  pp. — Doehla,  Johan  Conrad,  Marsch  Route  und  Be- 
schreibung  der  Merkwurdigsten  Begegenheiten  nach  und 
aus  Amerika. — Journal  of  the  Hessian  Captain  von  Dink- 
lage,  1776  to  1783,  about  400  pages. 

GERMAN  MANUSCRIPT.  Relating  to  the  Revolution,  410, 
paper,  containing  6  pieces.  Letters  from  Long  Island,  Lau- 
zun's  Narrative ;  Instruction  of  Burgoyne  at  Bennington ; 
Battle  of  Brandywine,  etc.  Unbound. 


TRANSCRIBED  LETTERS  AND  DOCUMENTS, 

MOSTLY  BOUND. 

AMERICAN  COLONIES.— State  Papers  and  others  from  1689 
to  1747.  Some  old  American  newspapers  inserted  and  a 
few  pieces  by  Bancroft.  2  vols.,  folio,  cloth  back,  about 
1,000  pp. 

AMERICA  AND  ENGLAND. — Miscellaneous  letters,  state  of 
affairs  in  America,  legislation,  trade,  1783  to  1791.  2  vols. 
folio,  half  red  morocco,  about  450  pp. 

AMERICA  AND  ENGLAND.— Official  Correspondence.  1783 
to  1790.  2  vols.  folio,  half  morocco,  gilt  tops,about  450 
pp.  each. 

AMERICA,  FRANCE  AND  ENGLAND.— Letters  from  the 
State  Paper  Office  and  Landsdowne  House,  1781  to  1783. 
Includes  correspondence  of  Earl  Shelburne,  Lord  Gran- 
tham,  &c.,  with  some  MS.  by  Bancroft.  6  vols.  folio, 
finely  bound,  half  green  morocco,  gilt  edges.  From  300  to 
400  pp.  to  a  volume. 

AMERICA,  SPAIN  AND  ENGLAND.— State  Papers,  1774  to 
1781.  5  vols.  folio,  half  red  morocco  extra,  gilt  edges,  about 
400  pp.  each. 

AMERICA,  HOLLAND  AND  ENGLAND.— State  Papers, 
1 7 74  to  1 783,  including  Plan  of  the  Treaty  of  Commerce 


79 

with  the  United  States,  with  letters  from  the  American 
agent  in  Holland.  3  vols. ,  folio,  half  brown  morocco,  about 
400  pp.,  generally  filled  on  both  sides. 

AMERICA,  RUSSIA  AND  ENGLAND.— Correspondence  of 
Gunning,  Suffolk,  Harris,  Agar,  Sharp,  Stormont  and 
others,  chronologically  arranged,  1774  to  1783.  2  vols. 
folio,  half  russia,  gilt  edges. 

AMERICAN  PAPERS. — A  miscellaneous  and  very  interesting 
collection,  covering  the  Colonial  and  Revolutionary  periods, 
as  also  interesting  matter  of  later  date,  ending  with  a 
type-written  copy  of  a  letter  of  James  Buchanan,  giving 
views,  &c.,  of  the  progress  of  secession,  December  22d, 
1860;  with  matter  by  Bancroft ;  considerable  material  relat 
ing  to  Washington.  3  vols.  4to,  half  green  morocco,  gilt 
tops,  about  2,100  pp. 

ARCHIVES  FRANCHISES  ANGLETERRE,  1767  to  1783.— 
Papers  chronologically  arranged,  with  some  matter  added 
by  the  hand  of  Bancroft,  n  vols.  4to,  and  i  vol.  folio,  half 
red  morocco,  gilt  tops,  about  300  pp.  to  a  volume. 

ARCHIVES  FRANCAISES.— ETATS  UNIS,  from  1776  to  De 
cember,  1789,  with  additions  and  insertions  by  Bancroft. 
13  vols.  4to,  red  morocco,  gilt  tops,  about  300  pp.  each. 

ARCHIVES  FRANCAISES  ESPAGNE.— 10  vols.  4to,  half  red 
morocco.  From  1768  to  1783.  4,000  pp. 

ARCHIVES  FRANCAISES-HOLLANDE-PRUSSE.— Largely 
the  correspondence  of  Vergennes  and  Vauguyon,  chrono 
logically  arranged,  with  index  and  with  numerous  interleav- 
ings  in  the  MS.  of  Bancroft.  4to,  half  purple  morocco. 
1776  to  1782.  230  pp. 

ARCHIVES  FRANCAISES  LOUISIANNE.— 1754  to  1765, 
4to,  half  red  morocco,  gilt  tops,  210  leaves. 

ARCHIVES  FRANCAISES  RUSSIE.— Chiefly  correspondence 
between  Vergennes,  Juigne,  Corberon   and  Verae,   with  ad 
ditional   autograph    matter  of  G.  Bancroft,    1775    to   1782. 
461  pp.,  4to,  half  russia. 

AUSTRIAN  CORRESPONDENCE.— Copies  of  letters  of  Baron 
Bertholff,  Philadelphia,  1785  to  1788.  Advertisement  of 
General  Washington's  Spanish  jackass.  109  pp.,  folio,  half 
morocco. 


80 


AUSTRIAN  PAPERS.— Largely  papers  of  Kaunitz  and  Mercy, 
copies  of  Diplomatic  Correspondence.  673  pp.,  half  russia, 
1781  to  1783. 

THE  BATTLE  OF  BROOKLYN.— A  farce.  A  MS.  copy  of 
Rivington's  Publication  of  '76.  47  pp.,  4to,  unbound. 

BELCHER,  the  Apostate.  — "  From  the  MS.  left  by  Gouvern- 
eur  Morris,  copied  by  C.  W.  Walsh,  in  1843."  G.  Bancroft. 
1728  to  1730.  Half  red  morocco,  extra  gilt  top. 

BERNARD,  FRANCIS,  Governor  of  Massachusetts.— Letters 
chiefly  to  the  Earl  of  Shelburne  and  Lord  Hillsborough,  re 
lating  to  the  conduct  of  the  Boston  leaders,  &c.  Some  com 
ments  by  Bancroft.  443  pp.,  4to,  half  brown  morocco. 

BLAKE,  F.  R. — Examination  of  the  Constitutionalty  ol  the  Em 
bargo  Laws:  a  View  of  the  arguments  before  the  Hon.  John 
Davis.  Copy  of  the  Publication  at  Worcester,  1808.  4to,  half 
roan,  89  pp. 

BURKE,  EDMUND. — Correspondence  relating  to  America. 
Copies  of  letters  to  General  Lee,  &c.,  with  an  autograph 
note  of  Edward  Everett,  "Committing  them  to  Mr.  Ban 
croft's  discreet  and  impartial  use,  March,  1843,"  about  30 
pp.  Laid  in  are  two  pamphlets,  Taylor's  California  and 
Bushnell's  California.  4to,  limp  boards. 

CALENDARS  of  the  volumes  relating  to  America  and  the  West 
Indies  in  the  State  Paper  Office,  London,  including  the 
Board  of  Trade  Papers.  Folio. 

CARLETON,  BURGOYNE  AND  HOWE.— Campaigns,  1774 
to  1778.  Copies  of  papers  in  the  State  Paper  Office,  Lon 
don.  Folio,  half  red  morocco,  gilt  edges,  491  pp.  Both 
sides  written. 

CHASE,  SAMUEL.— Objections  to  the  Federal  Government, 
from  Papers  loaned  to  Mr.  Bancroft  by  Mrs.  C.  C.  Oldfield, 
grand-daughter  of  Samuel  Chase.  4to,  half  morocco,  106 
pp. 

GOLDEN,  GOVERNOR  CADWALLADER.— Includes  an 
original  autograph  letter  signed  of  William  Pepperell.  Di 
rections  for  attacking  Lewisburg  quaintly  endorsed,  "The 
scheme  yt  was  laid  in  Boston  for  ye  Tacken  of  Louisbourgue 
by  a  Storm."  Laid  in  is  the  case  of  Forsey  and  Cunning 
ham,  printed  by  Holt,  New  York,  1764,  containing  very 


81 

copious  additions  in  the  autograph  of  Bancroft;  also  in  the 
autograph  of  Bancroft,  list  of  "Friends  who  have  sent  me 
material."  .  .  .  "Governor  of  South  Carolina  wrote  me  from 
his  death-bed."  Also  mentions  French  Bureau  of  Marine  and 
many  others,  1732-1775-  5  vols.  4to,  half  red  morocco. 
300  or  400  pages  to  each  vol. 

COLONIAL  AND  REVOLUTIONARY  PAPERS.— Giving 
title,  number  of  the  Volume,  and  dates  covered  by  each 
Volume. 

COLONIAL  DOCUMENTS.— February,  1748,  to  May,  1774. 
7  vols.  folio,  half  green  morocco,  gilt  tops.  500  to  600  pages 
per  volume. 

CONNECTICUT  PAPERS.— Chiefly  Revolutionary  Corre 
spondence.  Narratives  of  Events,  Matters  of  Communica 
tion  between  Patriots  and  the  Authorities,  etc.  Bancroft 
has  added  many  pages  in  his  own  hand.  4to,  half  morocco, 
5oi  PP- 

THE  CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS.— A  Private  Journal  of 
the  Proceedings  held  at  Philadelphia,  from  September  1 2th, 
1775,  to  the  3oth  of  March,  1776,  by  Richard  Smith,  a  dele 
gate  from  New  Jersey.  108  pp.,  410,  half  red  mor.,  gilt  top. 

COOPER,  S. — To  Franklin  and  T.  Pownall,  1770  to  1774,  from 
the  King's  Library.  4to,  half  calf,  262  pp. 

COPIES  of  various  papers,  among  others  a  correct  certified  copy 
without  change  of  a  letter  of  Franklin's  letter,  London,  nth 
July,  1765,  to  Mr.  Thompson.  Folio  (1764  to  1771),  about 
300  pages. 

DEBATES  ON  AMERICA.— With  MS.  Index  chiefly  in 
the  Autograph  of  Bancroft,  1774.  3  vols.  4to,  dark  red 
morocco,  gilt  backs,  1200  pp. 

DE  VRIES,  DAVID  PIETERSON.— From  an  History  of  Four 
Voyages  around  the  World  by  a  Master  of  Artillery.  Voy 
age  to  New  Netherlands  and  Coast  of  America.  4to,  half 
calf,  86  pp. 

A  DISCOURSE  occasionally  made  on  Burning  the  Effigy  of  the 
S — P. — M — N.  (stamp  man)  in  New  London.  Boston,  1765. 
MS.  copy  of  a  rare  pamphlet,  8vo,  half  red  morocco,  gilt  top. 

ELIOT,  MR.  JOHN,  of  Roxbury.— The  Christian  Common 
wealth.  About  40  pp.,  folio,  half  dark  blue  morocco. 


ELLSWORTH,  JUDGE,  AND  RUFUS  KING.— Ellsworth's 
Papers,  i4ipp.,MS.  King's  Papers,  type-written  copy  of  8pp. 

ENGLAND  AND  AMERICA.— State  Papers,  13  vols.  folio, 
1620  to  1782.  Commences  with  Account  of  the  Grant  of 
James  I.  to  Calvert.  The  volume  for  1780  contains  many 
papers  relating  to  Andre  and  Arnold.  Half  olive  morocco, 
gilt  edges.  About  450  pp.  a  volume. 

EUROPE  AND  AMERICA.— Official  Papers,  chiefly  in  English, 
relating  to  America,  from  July,  1775,  to  July,  1783.  5  vols. 
folio,  handsomely  bound  in  half  green  morocco,  gilt  tops. 

EXTRACTS  from  Notes  and  Letters  of  George  III.  to  Lord 
North,  preceded  by  an  autograph  letter  of  Edward  Everett, 
giving  the  history  of  the  papers,  &c.,  with  the  statement 
that  "  This  interesting  MSS.  is  now  committed  to  Mr.  Ban 
croft;  not  to  be  published,  but  to  be  used  fairly  and  con 
scientiously  as  containing  historical  materials  and  authori 
ties. "  Mr.  Everett's  letter  also  conveys  the  information 
that  the  original  papers  were  burned,  and  that  these  are 
copies  from  Sir  James  Mclntosh's  copies  and  abstracts 
preserved  in  the  family  of  Lord  North.  4to,  half  morocco, 
162  pp.  Both  sides  written. 

FITCH,  THOMAS.— Reasons  why  the  British  Colonies  should 
not  be  charged  with  Internal  Taxes.  Offered  in  behalf  of 
Connecticut,  New  Haven,  1764.  Half  green  morocco,  gilt 
top.  About  100  pp. 

FOLGER,  PETER.— A  Looking  Glass  for  the  Times.  Poem 
written  in  1676,  and  other  Matter.  Relates  to  the  Quakers. 
4to,  limp  brown  board  cover,  17  pp. 

FRANCE  AND  ENGLAND.— State  Papers  in  Affairs  relating 
to  America,  1774  to  1781.  6  vols.  folio,  half  red  morocco, 
gilt  top.  About  350  pp.  each. 

GAYANGOS. — Spanish  Papers.  Official  Correspondence  re 
specting  the  Attitude  of  Spain  to  the  United  States,  &c. 
Conventions  between  France  and  Spain.  Letters,  &c.,  1777 
to  1779.  Folio,  half  dark  blue  morocco  extra.  About  350 
pp.  Both  sides  written. 

GEORGIA  AND  SOUTH  CAROLINA  PAPERS.— Chiefly 
Letters  to  the  Committee  of  Correspondence,  by  Charles 
Goff,  1768  to  1775.  Lettered  Volume  2.  410,  half  mo 
rocco,  485  pp. 


GERMAN  PAPERS.— MSS.  chiefly  in  German.  Official  Papers, 
Records,  &c.,  relating  to  the  American  Revolution.  8  vols. 
4to,  cloth  backs.  From  150  to  600  pp.  each. 

GLOVER,  COL.  JOHN.— Papers,  Military  Orders,  etc.  Laid 
in  is  an  account  of  the  assassination  of  Joseph  Jewett,  Flat- 
bush,  August,  1776,  written  by  his  son  at  the  age  of  ninety. 
1776  to  1781.  4to,  half  cloth.  About  125  pp.. 

GOURGUE. — La  Reprise  de  la  Floride  par  le  Capitaine  Gour- 
gue.  Small  folio,  half  calf,  54  pp.  Written  from  the 
original  in  Bordeaux. 

GRAFTON'S  (  DUKE  OF).  Memoirs,  1753  to  1793.  Some 
Memoranda  by  Bancroft.  5  vols.  4to,  half  red  morocco, 
gilt  top,  about  150  pp. 

GREENE,  MAJOR-GENERAL.— Letter  Book,  commencing 
January  i5th,  1781;  ending  April  8th,  1782.  Comprising 
military  letters  to  Washington,  Jefferson,  Marion,  Sumter, 
Governor  Burke  and  others,  chronologically  arranged.  2 
vols.,  folio,  410  leaves. 

HARTLEY  PAPERS.— Correspondence  of  David  Hartley  and 
the  Secretary  of  State,  Charles  James  Fox,  with  other  papers 
relating  to  the  Treaty  with  Great  Britain  and  the  United 
States.  Notes  by  Bancroft.  1783  to  '84.  2  vols.  4to,  half 
russia,  about  600  pp. 

HARTFORD  CONVENTION.— Proceedings  of  the  Commis 
sioners  from  New  England  at  Hartford  in  November,  1780. 
Folio,  cloth,  30  leaves. 

HOLLAND. — Correspondence  of  England  and  Holland  relating 
to  American  Affairs.  State  Papers,  1774  to  1782.  Occa 
sional  insertion  of  MS.  by  Bancroft.  4  vols.  folio,  half  red 
morocco  extra,  gilt  edges.  About  500  pp.  per  volume. 

HOLLAND  AND  THE  UNITED  STATES.— Including  Let 
ters  of  Van  Berckel  and  other  coreespondents  relating  to 
New  York,  &c.,  1783  to  1789.  870  pp.,  2  vols.  folio,  half 
brown  morocco. 

HOLLIS    (T.),    MAYHEW,    ELLIOT,    ANDREW,    HOLLIS 

(T.  B.) — Papers,  1771  to  1776.     Additions  in  the  handwrit 
ing  of  Bancroft.      About  300  pp. 

HUTCHINSON,  GOVERNOR  THOMAS.— Letters  to  Israel 
Williams,  1749  to  1774.  Also  Extracts  from  Journals  of 


84 


Hutchinson,  1774,  with  a  certification :  "Copied  from  the 
original  by  Mr.  Rives  " — Edward  Everett.  4to,  limp  boards, 
X39  PP- 

HUTCHINSON,  THOMAS,  Governor  of  Massachusetts.— Cor 
respondence,  1765.  MSS.  Copies,  with  considerable  added 
matter  in  the  autograph  of  Bancroft.  Laid  in  is  a  type 
written  article  by  Bancroft  as  to  the  celebrated  Hutchinson 
Letters — how  they  were  made  public.  3  vols.  4to,  half  dark 
morocco,  1200  pp. 

JOHNSON,  W.  S. — Correspondence  of.  Connecticut  Papers. 
Letters  from  1765  to  1770,  with  added  matter  in  autograph 
of  Bancroft.  2  vols.  4to,  half  morocco.  Vol.  i,  551  pp.  ; 
Vo!-  2,  453  PP- 

JOHNSON,  REV.  DR.,  AND  W.  S.  JOHNSON.— Letters,  by 
Franklin  and  others;  Diary,  &c.  ;  Papers  from  1737  to  1789. 
2  vols.  4to,  half  morocco.  About  850  pp. 

KRIEGE  DER  UNION.— 2  vols.  folio,  1815101865.  Cloth.  1871. 

THE  LANGDON-ELWYN  PAPERS.— Letters  of  John  Lang- 
don,  Josiah  Bartlett,  William  Whipple,  James  Lovell,  Will 
iam  Ellery  and  others.  Papers  from  1774  to  1790.  461  pp. 

LEE,  ARTHUR. — Autobiography,  1777.  4to,  half  red  morocco, 
gilt  tops,  325  pp. 

LISTS  OF  PAPERS  ON  AMERICA.— A  thick  4to  volume, 
almost  entirely  in  the  handwriting  of  Bancroft,  consisting 
of  memorandum  titles  of  Papers  and  Letters  relating  to  the 
History  of  America,  as  found  in  the  British  and  other  State 
Paper  offices,  and  various  collections  of  MSS.  and  also 
Printed  Publications.  About  500  pp.,  with  additional  mat 
ter  laid  in. 

LIVINGSTON,  R.  R.—  Papers  relating  to  the  Family  of,  1775 
to  1779.  Includes  letters  from  Washington,  Jefferson,  and 
other  eminent  Revolutionary  characters.  2  vols.  8vo,  half 
citron  morocco,  1175  pp. 

LOYALISTS'  LETTERS.— Papers  from  Balch  and  others. 
Proceedings  connected  with  the  Tories.  4to,  cloth  back. 

MALSBURG,  CAPTAIN  VON.— Journal.  Account  of  the 
Voyage  of  the  Hessian  Troops  to  New  York,  their  stay  at 
Newport,  February  to  December,  1776.  Folio,  about  300 
pp.,  both  sides  covered. 


85 

MASSACHUSETTS. — Resolves  of  the  General  Court  of  the 
Commonwealth,  held  at  Boston,  1785.  Printed  1785. 
Also  the  same  for  1786.  Fine  uncut  copies  of  these  books^ 
accompanied  by  about  150  pp.  of  MS.,  with  some  MS.  by 
Bancroft.  Folio,  half  brown  morocco. 

MASSACHUSETTS  PAPERS.— A  volume  largely  in  the  hand 
writing  of  Bancroft,  consisting  of  Abstracts  and  Papers 
anterior  to  the  Revolution,  1748  to  1755.  About  200  pp. 
4to,  half  dark  green  morocco. 

MASON,  GEORGE.— Papers  of.  ''After  my  copies  of  the 
papers  of  George  Mason  were  made  and  the  papers  were 
safely  returned  to  their  owner  in  Virginia,  I  believe  they 
were  burnt  up  completely  in  a  fire." — BANCROFT.  4to,  half 
red  morocco,  283  pp. 

MARION,  GENERAL  FRANCIS.— Copies  of  Letters,  in  a  neat 
MS.,  except  32  pp.,  which  are  printed.  Papers  from  177910 
1811.  3  vols.  410,  dark  morocco  extra,  gilt  tops  963 
leaves. 

MARTIN,  DAVID.— Trial  of  Jacob  Gruber,  Minister,  of  Fred 
erick  County,  for  a  Misdemeanor  (preaching  that  Slavery 
was  a  National  Sin).  MS.  Copy,  1819.  112  pp.  4to,  half 
roan. 

MARYLAND  PAPERS.— With  Additions  in  the  Autograph  of 
Bancroft.  2  vols.  410,  half  dark  blue  morocco,  about 
1000  pp. 

NEW  ENGLAND  PAPERS.— From  1607  to  1689,  with  some 
few  insertions  by  Bancroft.  2  vols.  folio,  1050  pp.,  mostly 
written  on  both  sides. 

NEW  YORK  AND  MISCELLANEOUS.— Including  Remin 
iscences  of  J.  Pintard,  Letters  of  Philip  Cortland,  1779,  &c. 
4to,  200  pp. 

NUEVO  MEJICO.— Diario  de  Don  Antonio  deOtermin  goberna- 
dor  y  Capitan  General,  Anode  1681.      4to,  half  red  morocco 
gilt  top,  268  pp. 

NUEVO  MEJICO.— Documentos  de  la  Insurreccion  de  las 
Indios  en  Nuevo  Mejico,  Ano,  1693.  Containing  also  Autos 
de  la  guerra  de  la  conquista  de  Nuevo  Mejico.  4to,  half 
red  morocco  extra,  gilt  top,  142  leaves. 

PATTERSON,  WILLIAM. -Papers.     Copies  of  Originals    in 
possession  of  William   Patterson,   of  Perth  Amboy,   N    J 
(A  few  pp.  type-written)  410,  half  roan. 


86 


PENN,  THOMAS. — Letters  to  James  Hamilton,  1748  to  1770. 
4to,  half  brown  morocco,  gilt  tops,  573  pp. 

POLK,  J.  K.— The  Diary.  Transmitted  to  Hon.  Geo.  Ban 
croft,  by  Mrs.  J.  K.  Polk.  From  Aug.,  1845,  to  April,  1849. 
A  type-written  copy,  compared  and  corrected,  24  vols. 
bound  in  1 8  vols.  4to>  half  red  morocco. 

POLK,  J.  K. — Correspondence,  1821-1849.  4  v°ls-  4to?  na^ 
dark  blue  morocco.  With  some  notes  by  G.  B. 

POLK. — Letters,  including  a  number  of  pieces  relating  to  Polk. 
With  Bancroft's  correspondence  in  regard  to  getting  the 
Polk  papers.  Some  Scraps. 

POLK,  J.  K. — 86  Type-written  pages  of  a  Sketch  of  Polk's  Life. 
Written  by  Bancroft.  Also  a  type-written  Index  to  the 
Diary  of  Polk,  Vols.  i,  2,  3. 

POWNALL  TO  REV.  DR.  S.  COOPER.— Letters  from  1769 
to  1774,  from  the  MS.  in  the  King's  Library  in  the  British 
Museum.  4to,  half  calf,  383  pages. 

PRUSSIA  AND  AMERICA.— Being  chiefly  correspondence  of 
Suffolk,  Elliot,  Stormont,  Harris,  Eden,  &c. ,  1775  to  1783. 
4to,  half  dark  green  morocco,  with  some  inserted  matter, 
398  pp. 

PRUSSIA  AND  FRANCE.— Correspondence  relating  to  Ameri 
can  Affairs.  3  vols.,  folio,  half  red  morocco,  gilt  tops,  un 
cut,  about  2,300  pages. 

PRUSSIA  AND  HOLLAND.— Papers  in  reference  to  America, 
1778  to  1782,  chronologically  arranged.  Folio,  half  green 
morocco,  283  pp.  Both  sides  written. 

PRUSSIA  AND  ENGLAND.— Papers  relating  to  America,  in 
cluding  correspondence  of  Frederick  the  II.,  Count  Malt- 
zan,  Finkelstein  and  others,  1774  to  1782.  3  vols.,  folio, 
half  maroon  morocco,  gilt  top.  About  500  pp.  to  a  volume, 
generally  written  on  both  sides. 

PUBLIC  GOOD  WITHOUT  PRIVATE  INTEREST.—  A 
Compendious  Remembrance  of  the  present  State  of  the 
English  Colonie  of  Virginia,  humbly  presented  to  the  Lord 
Protector.  A  MS.  copy  of  the  London  Publication  of  1657, 
with  notes  by  Bancroft.  4to,  half  calf,  69  pages. 

QUEBEC  AND  THE  UNITED  STATES.— Papers  from  1782 
to  1791.  2  vols.  folio,  half  red  morocco,  gilt  top. 


REED,  JOSEPH.— Remarks  and  Short  Address  to  the  People 
of  Pennsylvania  on  Libels  and  Slanders.  A  MS.  copy  of 
Bailey's  Publication  of  1783.  4to,  half  red  cloth,  174  pp. 

REVOLUTIONARY  PAPERS.— Political  and  Military.  2  vols. 
in  green  cloth  backs,  i  vol.  in  blue  cloth  back.  Together 
3  vols.  4to,  1753  pp. 

RHODE  ISLAND. — Manuscripts,  including  matter  from  the 
Rhode  Island  Republican,  1832  to  35,  referring  to  theperiod 
of  1638  to  1702.  4to,  half  calf.  About  300  pp. 

RUSH  PAPERS.— Mostly  letters  to  Dr.  Rush,  including  pieces 
by  Dickinson,  Yeates,  Charles  Lee,  Lafayette,  Jefferson, 
Wayne  and  others.  Occasional  additions  in  Autograph  of 
Bancroft.  4to,  half  calf,  160  leaves. 

SCHUYLER,  MAJOR-GENERAL  PH.— Revolutionary  Papers 
and  Correspondence.  4to,  cloth  backs,  883  pp. 

SEVIER,  MONROE  AND  SHELBY.— Letters,  &c.  ;  Revolu 
tionary  Narrative,  &c.  About  100  pp.,  4to,  red  morocco, 
gilt  top. 

SHERMAN'S  CAVEAT.— G.  Morris,  Oration  on  Washington, 
1799.  Algernon  Sydney,  Articles  on  the  Lottery  Deci 
sion,  Richmond,  1821.  3  pieces,  4to,  half  red  morocco, 
gilt  top.  The  Roger  Sherman  piece  is:  A  caveat  against  In 
justice  and  Enquiry  into  the  Evil  Consequences  of  a  fluctu 
ating  medium — whether  bills  of  credit  .  .  .  are  money 
.  .  by  Philceunomos.  The  Hon.  George  F.  Hoar 
came  into  possession  of  the  original  in  1878  and  this  is 
probably  copied  from  his  book. 

GEORGE  III.— Letters  to  Shelburne,  1782  to  83.  Preceded 
by  a  Biographical  Sketch  of  Lord  George  Sackville.  Folio, 
half  brown  morocco.  About  100  pp. 

SOUTH  CAROLINA  PAPERS,  1628  to  1698.— With  Descrip 
tion  of  South  Carolina,  published  by  Force,  laid  in.  With 
the  addition  of  some  Autograph  Letters  of  Mr.  Rives.  4to, 
half  red  morocco.  About  350  pp. 

SOUTH  CAROLINA  AND  MISCELLANEOUS  PAPERS.— 

Commencing  with  a  Journal  kept  in  Boston  in  1775  and 
1776,  by  Timothy  Newell.  Letters  of  Laurens,  Jefferson, 
Lee,  &c.  Letters  relating  to  the  Siege  of  Charlestown.  An 
article  on  the  Battle  of  King's  Mountain,  from  the  Com 
mentator,  Frankfort,  1822.  4to,  half  blue  cloth, 66 1  pages. 


88 


SPANISH  DOCUMENTS.— Relating  to  California,  from  the 
Archives  of  Seville.  About  300  pp.  Unbound. 

SPOTSWOOD,  HON.  ALEXANDER,  Governor  of  Virginia.— 
Letters  respecting  North  Carolina.  Address  to  the  Ministry 
of  the  late  Queen  Anne.  Extracts  from  Letters  and  MSS. 
in  the  Secretary's  Office  of  North  Carolina.  4to,  half  calf 
108  pp. 

STILES,  EZRA. — Papers  of,  from  1765  to  1776.  4to,  dark 
blue  morocco,  gilt  tops,  579  pp. 

STRACHEY,  HENRY.— Papers  of.  4to,  half  red  morocco, 
gilt  top.  1776.  329  pp. 

VIRGINIA  PAPERS,  from  1756  to  1781.— 3  vols.  4to,  half  red 
morocco.  About  1800  pages. 

VIRGINIA  PAPERS.— From  the  State  Paper  Office,  1585  to 
1686.  9  vols.  folio,  cloth  backs.  From  500  to  700  pp.  per 
volume.  Mostly  written  on  both  sides. 

WARREN,  J.  C.— Papers.  After  a  Sketch  of  Paul  Revere's 
Ride,  continues  with  Accounts  of  the  Battle  of  Lexington. 
Letters  and  Accounts  of  the  Day,  by  witnesses  and  partici 
pants.  Proceedings  of  the  Citizens.  Governor  Gage,  &c. 
Papers  generally  relating  to  the  beginning  of  armed  resist 
ance.  1774  and  1775.  4to,  half  brown  cloth. 

WASHINGTON  PAPERS.— His  Diary  from  October  ist,  1789, 
to  March  nth,  1790;  and  Washington's  Order  Book  from 
June  27,  to  August  6,  1779.  4to>  na^  dark  morocco,  gilt 
top.  About  400  pp. 

WASHINGTON,  GEORGE.— Diary  from  March  i2th,  1790,  to 
June  ist,  1791.  92  pp.,  4to,  half  blue  morocco. 

WASHINGTON,  GEORGE.— Journal  from  May  ist,  1781,  to 
November  5th,  1791,  197  pp.,  followed  by  Comments,  &c., 
of  G.  Bancroft.  Journal  of  General  Rufus  Putnam,  with 
old  copies  of  Papers  of  Arthur  Campbell,  relating  to  the 
Battle  of  King's  Mountain.  Slips  and  Cuttings  from 
Charles  Town,  1780;  and  others.  400  pages,  folio,  half 
blue  cloth. 

WASHINGTON,  Frederick  the  Great,  and  in  Cassel.— Papers, 
containing  much  interesting  matter  regarding  movements  of 
the  Hessians  in  the  American  Campaigns,  as  well  as  Diplo 
matic  Correspondence.  Folio,  half  maroon  morocco. 
About  300  pp. 


89 


WAYNE,  GENERAL  ANTHONY.— Correspondence,  Letters 
and  Papers,  including  Letters  from  Washington,  from  1775 
to  1792.  3  vols.  4to,  half  red  morocco,  gilt  top.  1750  pp. 

INDEX  to  American  Correspondence,  1752  to  1760,  arranged 
as  a  Journal,  with  captions  of  letters  opposite  the  dates.  4to, 
half  dark  green  morocco. 


BANCROFT'S  History  of  the  United  States.  Original  Drafts 
in  MS.  42  vols.  4to.  Various  volumes  and  editions  roughly 
bound  (10  of  the  volumes  type  and  MS.). 

BANCROFT'S  Index  Rerum.  4to,  MS.,  in  old  calf.  Numerous 
excerpts  and  references  relating  to  American  History. 

BANCROFT'S  Life  of  Martin  Van  Buren.  Type-written 
copy,  with  amendments,  in  autograph  of  Bancroft.  4to, 
half  morocco. 

THE  SAME.     An  earlier  draft. 

-  THE  SAME.     Another  draft  in  two  parts. 

-  Heeren's    Ancient    History  ;     Heeren's     Ethnography  ; 
Eichhorn's  Old  and   New   Testament    Studies    and   Trans 
lations.      4  vols.  folio.      Paper  covers. 

LETTERS  and  Captions  in  the  "  Pennsylvania  Gazette  "  and 
"  Virginia  Gazette."  In  7  4to  books,  numbered  1-7. 

A  BUNDLE  of  miscellaneous  pieces,  fragments,  &c. 


BOOKS  AND  PAMPHLETS 


93 


LIBRARY  OF  HON.  GEO.  BANCROFT. 


BOOKS  AND  PAMPHLETS. 

The  library  of  the  late  Hon.  Geo.  Bancroft  is  a  very  large 
gathering  of  books,  the  materials  for  studying  the  History  of  the 
United  States  being  its  prominent  feature,  inclusive  of  the  collat 
eral  literature  of  general  history  in  all  languages;  and,  beyond 
that,  the  reading  of  a  man  of  many-sided  culture  and  elegant 
taste.  It  is  rich  in  both  ancient  and  modern  literature,  enlivened 
with  poetry  and  art,  and  well-furnished  with  standard  authors. 
Schooled  under  Heeren,  Bancroft  became  familiar  with  German 
literature.  His  interest  in  German  philosophy,  history  and 
poetry  was  strong  and  lasting,  and  is  reflected  in  a  fine  and 
large  collection  of  the  best  authors  of  Germany.  The  classics 
are  abundantly  represented  in  the  original  tongues  and  in  trans 
lations  by  a  variety  of  editors. 

Mr.  Bancroft  was  the  recipient  of  many  books  as  gifts,  and 
he  has  generally  inserted  the  autograph  letter  of  the  donor,  and 
numbers  of  books,  not  accompanied  by  letters,  have  the  donor's 
autograph  inscription.  Among  these  may  be  mentioned  "Don 
Juan,"  Cantos  3,  4  and  5,  with  this  inscription  in  Lord  Byron's 
hand:  ''To  Mr.  George  Bancroft  from  the  Author,  Noel  Byron. 
May  22nd,  1822";  Dickens'  "American  Notes,"  two  volumes, 
London,  1842,  in  which  is  written:  "George  Bancoft,  from  his 
friend,  Charles  Dickens,  i9th  October,  1842." 

The  department  of  Americana  is  so  full  that  no  adequate 
description  can  be  given  in  brief.  A  few  items  will  be  named, 
with  the  general  statement  that  the  library  is  intact,  is  as  Ban 
croft  left  it,  with  all  that  he  collected  bearing  directly  or  indi 
rectly  on  the  history  of  America,  including  its  discovery,  settle 
ment,  colonial  period,  wars  with  the  French  and  Indians,  the 
Revolutionary  war,  State  and  local  history,  pioneer  history  and 
extension,  military  and  naval  histories  and  biographies,  writings 


94 


and  speeches  of  American  statesmen,  formation  of  the  Union 
and  the  Constitution,  treaties,  archives,  documents  and  laws, 
researches  among  the  aborigines,  collections  of  historical  socie 
ties,  magazines,  maps,  journals  and  pamphlets,  monographs  and 
privately  printed  books.  A  number  of  books  and  pamphlets 
relating  to  the  Civil  War,  abolition  of  slavery,  State  rights,  free 
trade,  currency  and  legal  tender,  the  Supreme  Court,  colleges, 
etc.,  etc. 

A  feature  adding  interest  and  uniqueness  to  Bancroft's  library 
is  the  amount  of  marginal  and  other  annotation  and  comment 
placed  by  his  own  hand  in  very  many  of  the  books,  and  these 
comments  can  by  no  means  be  measured  by  their  quantity;  for 
instance,  a  statement  appended  to  a  marked  paragraph,  such  as 
"This  is  not  true."  Of  course,  many  books  he  has  made  use 
of  as  working  copies,  sometimes  interleaving  as  well  as  writing 
upon  the  margins,  and  inserting  cuttings  and  scraps  and  pieces 
of  publications,  pertinent  to  statements  of  the  text.  For  in 
stance,  he  has  interleaved  and  extended  "  Holmes's  Annals" 
in  two  volumes,  to  five,  and  this  work  seems  to  have  received 
his  most  particular  attention,  for  he  has  filled  up  very  many 
interleaved  pages  by  his  own  hand. 

Among  voyages  and  accounts  of  the  New  World  are  collec 
tions  of  Purchas,  of  Hakluyt  and  Ramusio,  Navarette,  Labat, 
La  Potherie,  Laval,  Chabert,  Barcia,  Clavigero,  Oviedo,  De 
Solis,  Lafitau,  Hennepin,  several  editions;  the  rare  Jesuit  Rela 
tions,  1634,  &c.,  original  issues  (about  15  vols.),  and  reprints; 
Charlevoix,  Sagard ;  also,  voyages  of  Captain  Cooke,  collections 
of  Pinkerton,  voyages  of  Vancouver,  &c. 

COLUMBUS  MEMORIALS,  published  by  the  decurions  of  Geneva. 
Extra-illustrated  by  26  portraits.  1823. 

Syllacius  de  Insulis  Meridiani.  Lenox's  privately  printed 
issue. 

De  Laet  Novus  Orbis,  1630-1633. 

Father  Hennepin's  Discoveries.  Rare  edition  of  1683.  Note 
by  Bancroft:  "  I  obtained  this  perfect  copy  March  19,  1864,  after 
30  years  search." 

Sagard's  Canada.      Paris,  1636. 

Among   the  little  books    of  great  value  are  George  Alsop's 


95 


"Character  of  the  Province  of  Maryland,"  printed  in  London, 
1666,  a  book  about  the  size  of  one's  hand,  worth  more  than  its 
weight  in  gold;  Lederer's  "  Discoveries  in  Three  Marches  from 
Virginia,"  a  copy  in  matchless  condition,  printed  in  1672; 
Le  Clercq's  "  Etablissement  de  la  Foy,"  two  little  volumes,  lately 
priced  in  London  at  forty  pounds;  Scott's  "Model  of  the  Gov 
ernment  of  East  Jersey,"  with  names  of  the  early  settlers,  1685. 

Brief  titles  of  a  few  other  items  of  Americana  are  as  fol 
lows: 

Byfield's  Revolution  in  New  England.      1689. 

John  Cotton  on  Ecclesiastes.      1654. 

Bishop's  New  England  Judged.      1703. 

Hooker's  Church  Discipline.      London,  1648. 

Shepard's  Parable  of  Ten  Virgins.     London,  1660. 

Norton's   Discourse   on   the   Sufferings  of   Christ.       London, 

1653- 

Speeches  of  the  Governors  of  Massachusetts  and  Answers  of 
the  House  of  Representatives.  1755-1778.  Examined  and  anno 
tated  throughout  by  Bancroft. 

Hutchinson's  Massachusetts.      3  vols.      1795-1828. 

Savage's  Genealogical  Dictionary.     4  vols.  8vo. 

Mante's  History  of  the  Late  War.      1762. 

Knox's  Journal  of  Campaign.     2  vols.  4to.      1769. 

Rogers'  Journal.      1765. 

Bollan's  Acquest  of  Dominion.      1762. 

Stiles'  Judges.      1794. 

Acts  of  Parliament  Relating  to  America.      1734-61. 

Almon's  Parliamentary  Register.      63  vols.      1 775-1797. 

Almon's  Remembrancer. 

Journals  of  Congress,  1774-1776;  Congressional  Globe  from 
1837,  86  vols. 

Hazard's  State  Papers.      2  vols.  4to. 

Annals  of  Congress.      31  vols. 

American  State  Papers,  21  vols. ;  American  Archives.  9  vols.  ; 
Annual  Register,  1758-1820,  89  vols. 

Pownall's  Description  of  America.      1776. 

The  Atlases  of  Jeffreys,  Popple,  &c.  (Revolutionary  period). 

American  Military  Pocket  Atlas ;    Roque's  Forts   of  America ; 


96 


Coxe's  Carolana.  1722. 

Winthrop  Sargent's  Loyalist  Poetry  of  the   Revolution,   and 
The  Loyal  Verses  of  Stansbury  and  Odell. 
Smith's  Narrative  of  Major  Andre. 

Garden's  Anecdotes  of  the  American  Revolution,  both  Series. 
Original  Editions. 

Poems  of  Anne  Bradstreet,  of  Freneau,  and  of  Phillis  Wheat- 
ley.      Rare  editions. 

Force's  Tracts.      Presentation  copy. 
Scots's  Settlement  at  Darien. 

Dr.  Shea's  American  Linguistics  and  Cramoisy  Press. 
Captain  John  Smith's  History  of  Virginia.      Handsome  copy, 
with  the  maps.      Folio,  blue  morocco.      1632. 
Burk's  Virginia;  Beverly's  Virginia. 
Acrelius's  New  Sweden.      1759. 

True  State  of  Pennsylvania.     Dunlap,  printer,  1759. 
Smith's  Brief  State  of  Pennsylvania. 
Answer  to  Franklin's  Protest.      Bradford,  1764. 
Proud's  Pennsylvania.      2  vols. 
Relation  of  Maryland.     Very  rare.      1635. 
Reasons  for  Establishing  a  Colony  in  Georgia.      1763. 
Bartram's  Florida;  Roberts'  Florida,  1763 ;  Stevens'  Georgia, 
1742;  McCall's  Georgia,  1811. 

The  French  Memorial,  containing  Journal  of  Major  Washing 
ton.      1757. 

Mirabeau's    Advice     "  Aux    Hessois."      A    very    rare   pie 
advising  the  Hessians  to  aid  America.      1777. 
Boston  Chronicle.      1767-1768. 

Horsmanden's  Account  of  the  Negro  Conspiracy  to  burn  1> 
York      The  very  rare  large  paper  edition. 

Jacob  Leisler.     Four  rare  broadsides  relating  to  his  case. 

Haywood's  Tennessee,  both  works,  natural  and  political. 

Filson's,  Finlay's  and  Collins'  Kentucky. 

Imlay's  Western  Territory,  1792-     Pickett's  Alabama. 

Bayard,  Nicholas.     Trial.     Lond.  1703. 

Asher's  Account  of  Dutch  Books   relating  to    New   Nether 

lands. 

Valentine's  Manual,  including  early  volumes. 


97 


Earl  Stairs'  Bill  in  Chancery.      Folio. 

A  Further  Account  of  New  Jersey  in  an  abstract  of  letters 
lately  writ  from  thence  by  several  inhabitants  there  resident. 
1676.  Of  great  rarity. 

Smith's  New  Jersey.      1765. 

Thomson's  Voyage  to  New  Jersey. 

Learning  &  Spicer's  Collection  of  New  Jersey  Laws.  Printed 
by  Bradford.  3  vols.  folio. 

Narrative  of  the  Excursion  of  the  King's  Troops  under  Gene 
ral  Gage.  Printed  by  order  of  the  Provincial  Congress,  1775, 
by  Isaiah  Thomas. 

Tarleton's  Campaigns.     4to.      1787. 

Stedman's  History  of  the  War.  2  vols.  4to.  1794.  Sir  Henry 
Clinton's  copy,  with  his  marginal  notes  in  autograph,  together 
with  notes  in  autograph  of  Bancroft.  A  prize  for  any  collector. 

Dray  ton's  Memoirs,  Heath's  Memoirs,  Thatcher's  Military 
Journal  ;  Entick's,  Murray's,  Botta's,  Andrews',  and  other 
general  histories  of  the  war. 

Trial  of  Major  Andre.     Rare  edition  printed  by  Bailey,  1780. 

The  Courts-Martial  held  by  order  of  General  Washington,  on 
Schuyler,  on  St.  Clair  and  on  Lee,  the  rare  contemporary 
editions,  the  three  pieces  bound  in  a  volume;  also  containing 
the  Proceedings  of  the  Assembly  of  New  Jersey,  1780,  and  the 
Acts  of  New  Jersey  in  1777.  Among  the  leaves  of  the  trials  are 
some  notes  in  autograph  of  Bancroft. 

The  Court-Martial  of  Arnold,  the  edition  of  1780;  also,  the 
Cooperstown  edition  of  the  Court-Martial  of  Lee,  interleaved 
and  annotated  by  Bancroft. 

Several  pieces  relating  to  Clinton,  Cornwallis,  Howe  and 
Burgoyne. 

Scores  of  small  pieces  and  pamphlets  separately  bound,  relat 
ing  to  controversies  between  Great  Britain  and  the  colonies,  and 
the  genesis  of  the  American  Revolution,  as  also  a  very  large 
number  of  pamphlets  bound,  several  in  a  volume. 

Many  books  relating  to  Canada  and  the  West;  Law's  Missis 
sippi  Scheme;  Laval,  Voyage  a  La  Louisiane,  1720;  Venegas' 
California;  French's  Louisiana;  Lewis  and  Clarke,  3  vols.; 
Gayarre's  Louisiana;  E.  G.  Squier's  Monuments  of  the  Missis- 


sippi;  and   Squier's   Documents  relating   to   America,  from  the 
Spanish  Archives;  Agassiz's  Lake  Superior. 

Numerous  books  about  the  Indians  ;  Schoolcraft,  6  vols. 
4to;  Catlin,  2  vols.  8vo,  colored  plates;  Heckewelder,  Priest; 
a  few  books  on  Aboriginal  Languages.  All  general  histories  of 
the  United  States. 

Audubon's  Birds  of  America  is  the  best  octavo  edition.  7  vols. 
handsomely  bound. 

Michaux  and  Nuttail's  Sylva  of  North  America.  6  vols.  8vo. 
Colored  plates.  Finely  bound. 

Dunlap's  Art  of  Design  in  America.  2  vols.  8vo.  Author's 
presentation. 

Marban's  Grammar  of  the  Moxa  Language. 

Bamfylde  Moore  Carew's  Adventures.      1779. 

Works  of  American  Statesmen,  many  large  paper  copies,  with 
Mr.  Bancroft's  marginal  memoranda  and  annotations  throughout, 
such  as  Franklin's  works:  Washington's  Writings;  John  Adams' 
and  J.  Q.  Adams' Works  and  Correspondence;  Jefferson's  Works 
and  Life;  Alex.  Hamilton's  Works,  and  History  of  the  United 
States  as  traced  in  his  writings ;  the  Madison  Papers ;  Webster's 
Works;  Sparks'  Diplomatic  Correspondence  of  the  Revolution, 
10  vols. ;  &c. 

Numerous  works  relating  to  Washington,  including  a  pre 
sentation  copy  of  Irving's  Life,  with  an  autograph  letter  of 
Irving;  Aaron  Bancroft's  Life,  with  autograph;  Marshall's  Life; 
Everett's  Life,  with  6-page  letter  of  Everett;  Bradford  Club 
Diary  of  Washington ;  W.  C.  Ford's  Washington ;  genuine  and 
spurious  letters  of  Washington. 

Biographies  and  works  of  American  historical  and  literary 
characters. 

Bancroft's  Poems,  1823. 

A  folio,  in  old  calf  binding,  is  rich  in  treasures;  it  contains 
sixty-nine  pieces,  printed  from  1657  to  1682.  It  originally  came 
from  David  Brearley,  of  New  Jersey,  and  was  finally  presented 
to  Mr.  Bancroft  by  J.  W.  Alexander.  Some  of  these  pieces 
were  printed  for  the  Parliament  of  Oliver  Cromwell.  One  in 
black  letter,  a  petition  to  which  "the  Lord  Protector  doth  con- 


99 


sent,"  is  interesting  as  to  the   oaths  to  be  taken    by  any    person 
who  should  be  a  member  of  Parliament. 

There  are  eighteen  pages  of  an  interesting  declaration  of  King 
Charles  II.  concerning  ecclesiastical  affairs.  These  declarations, 
with  the  life  of  the  Merry  Monarch  in  parallel  columns,  would 
form  some  startling  contrasts.  Looking  further  in  this  volume 
we  find  a  rare  broadside,  "William  Penn's  speech  to  His  Maj 
esty,  upon  delivering  the  Quakers'  address,  with  His  Majesty's 
most  gracious  answer,"  a  liberal  and  a  noble  one,  and  now  em 
bodied  an  important  plank  in  the  structure  of  American  liberty. 
Still  further,  there  is  William  Penn's  letter  (ten  pages),  contain 
ing  a  description  of  the  Province  of  Pennsylvania  and  an  ac 
count  of  the  City  of  Philadelphia,  newly  laid  out,  with  a  map; 
London,  1683. 

The  Standard  American  authors  and  poets  are  well  repre 
sented. 

Bancroft's  life  of  Martin  Van  Buren,  is  a  copy  with  the 
author's  marginal  notes. 

Quite  a  number  of  books  on  slavery,  diplomacy,  the  constitu 
tion,  &c. ,  Elliott's  Debates  is  a  copy  marked  throughout  by 
Bancroft. 

Copies  of  the  Haro  boundary  memorials  (Geo.  Bancroft  repre 
senting  the  U.  S.  in  the  arbitration). 

Collection  of  Historical  Societies  of  various  states. 

Papers  about  Bunker  Hill,  Obituaries,   the  quakers,  etc. 

Minot's  Insurrection ;  Backus'  History  of  the  Baptists. 

Bancroft's  taste  for  the  fine  arts  is  represented  in  the  posses 
sion  of  various  grand  books,  descriptive  and  reproductive  of  the 
Chief  Galleries  of  Europe,  as  the  Musee  Francais  and  the  Musee 
Royal,  The  Orleans  Gallery ,  The  Florence  Galley ;  The  Dresden 
Gallery ;  The  Musee  Napoleon  ;  Finden's  Royal  Gallery  of  British 
Art,  in  proof  state;  The  works  of  Sir  Joshua  Reynolds,  3  folio 
volumes  of  Mezzotint  plates ;  Ottley's  Italian  School,  etc. 

The  series  of  Captain  Batty's  European  Scenery  is  a  particu 
larly  beautiful  set,  proof  impressions.  Lodge's  Portrait  Gallery 
is  a  splendid  set,  6  vols.  4to,  crimson  morocco,  proof  impres 
sions.  The  Grand  Musee  of  the  Vatican  in  a  series  of  folio 


100 


volumes,  is  a  copy  particularly  notable  for  a  sumptuous  binding 
in  Vellum. 

A  few  books  of  Turner,  Harding,  Prout  and  David  Roberts 
are  included. 

Winkle's  Cathedrals,  and  Neale's  Westminster  Abbey,  are  fine 
copies.  Also,  Grose's  Antiquities  of  England  and  Wales.  Of 
Bewick's  British  Birds,  the  library  contains  the  edition  of  1800. 

The  Standard  Histories  of  England,  and  Works  of  English 
Historians,  lives  and  works  of  English  Statesmen  of  the  period 
connected  with  American  History.  Best  editions  of  Hume  and 
Smollett,  Macaulay,  Lord  Mahon,  Burke,  Works  of  Burnet, 
Clarendon,  Pitt,  Fox,  North,  Gibbon,  Milman,  Merivale,  Evelyn, 
Pepys,  Walpole.  Strickland's  Lives  of  the  Queens. 

A  section  of  Mr.  Bancroft's  library  is  rich  in  the  works  of 
the  most  celebrated  authors  of  Germany,  in  history,  philosophy, 
biography,  etc.,  with  a  sprinkling  of  science.  Nor  has  he  neg 
lected  the  literature  of  Italy.  The  best  authors  in  the  French 
language  are  found  on  the  shelves. 

Of  German  authors  may  be  mentioned  Bunsen,  Bluntschli, 
Curtius,  Eichhorn,  Fichte,  Fischer^  Goethe,  Hegel,  Heine, 
Heeren,  Herder,  Humboldt,  Kant,  Lieber,  Leibnitz,  Niebuhr, 
Ranke,  Schiller,  Schelling,  Schoppenhauer,  Schlosser,  Scherer, 
Schulteis,  Von  Raumer,  Von  Hoist,  Virchow,  Weber,  etc.,  etc. 

There  are  many  nicely  bound  sets  in  this  section,  and  some 
autograph  presentations. 

Of  the  history  of  the  treaty  of  the  States  of  Europe  in 
German,  there  is  a  series  of  60  vols. 

The  classics  include  the  great  collection  of  Lemaire,  in  148 
vols.,  8vo,  and  any  number  of  editions  of  originals  and  trans 
lations  in  various  languages  and  under  various  hands.  Among 
them  is  a  good  series  of  Thomas  Taylor's  translations.  It  is 
scarcely  worth  while  to  mention  the  authors,  as  there. are  about 
all  of  the  current  names. 

Bancroft  was  preparing  a  book  upon  Shakespeare,  and  col 
lected  a  number  of  volumes,  reading  and  marking  several  of 
them.  Among  the  dramatic  authors,  are  the  best  editions  of 
Beaumont  and  Fletcher,  Ben  Johnson,  Shirley,  Massinger,  Mid- 
dleton,  etc,  Of  books  called  "privately  printed,"  of  which  a 


-   '   >\ 


!**•*•  J*?  !••«  •• 

:••.::••.:••••:•'•• 

101 

few  copies  only  were  issued,  naturally  Mr.  Bancroft  has  received 
a  number  of  gifts.  In  English  literature  and  poetry,  the 
standard  authors  are  well  represented. 

Of  Bancroft's  "  History  of  the  United  States  "  there  is  one  of 
the  large  paper  copies,  now  very  scarce.  But  perhaps  among 
the  most  interesting  books  in  the  library  are  a  large  number  of 
volumes  of  various  editions  of  the  History  as  prepared  for  revis 
ion.  These  are,  of  course,  his  working  copies,  filled  with  his 
manuscript  alterations  and  emendations,  and  are  the  evidence  of 
the  labor  and  pains  involved  in  bringing  an  historical  work  to  a 
satisfactory  degree  of  perfection  and  finish. 

In  French  literature,  the  historians  are  completely  represented 
and  with  a  good  collection  of  standard  authors,  works  of  Mon 
taigne,  Voltaire,  Mirabeau,  Martin,  Chateaubriand,  Corneille, 
Racine,  Lamartine,  Guizot,  Thiers,  Thierry,  Blanc,  Mignet, 
Biographic  Universelle,  85  vols.,  Brunei's  Manual,  books  relat 
ing  to  the  French  Revolution,  etc. 

Of  Italian  and  Spanish  authors  there  is  a  sprinkling. 

Some  of  the  most  useful  books,  from  the  student's  point  of 
view,  are  among  the  unmentioned  and  lesser  known  pieces. 

The  catalogue  of  books  and  pamphlets  with  the  brief  descrip 
tions,  would  occupy  about  600  pages,  say  6,000  lots. 

A  large  collections  of  pamphlets  and  small  pieces  is  contained 
in  bound  volumes  including  from  5  to  ?«j  items  each.  Including 
the  unbound  pamphlets,  a  careful  estimate  places  the  number  of 
items  at  18,000.  Mr.  Bancroft  it  is  understood,  regarded  his 
collection  as  about  20,000  pieces.  As  to  quantity,  compared  to 
the  libraries  of  Barlow  and  Murphy,  it  is  about  double. 

Of  all  histories  the  "  History  of  the  United  States"  has  been 
especially  favored  in  so  long-lived,  industrious  and  polished  a 
recorder  of  its  annals.  In  this  library,  in  its  abundance  of 
materials  for  history,  and  in  its  testimony  to  the  various  require 
ments  in  the  fields  of  language  and  of  literature,  and  its  sug 
gestions  of  labor,  there  is  enough  to  dismay  all  but  the  most 
serious  essayist  in  a  general  history  of  the  United  States. 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

LOAN  DEPT. 

This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 

on  the  date  to  which  renewed. 
Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 


General  Library 
University  of  Calif orma 


16176482 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


